He (Job) said, “Without clothing I was born from my mother, and without clothing I will return. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Praise the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or blame God, Job 1:21-22 (New Life Version).
I shared with a friend yesterday that we are in the midst of developing new resilience skills. We didn't ask to develop them; yet, the past year mandated that we did. While in quarantine, we felt like we were stuck.
We could probably join Job in discussing what we lost or felt that we lost. He had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 1,000 oxen, 500 female donkeys and many servants. He was the greatest man of the east, Job 1:3. He got notice in one day that his 10 children, sheep, camels, oxen, donkeys and servants were all gone. What sorrow! This is not unlike what we've experienced. Jobs, businesses, sports events, in-person classes and family gatherings were curtailed instantly. We lost loved ones!
Job discussed his losses with his wife. She queried: "Do you still hold on to your faith? Curse God and die!” Her viewpoint was not sympathetic not supportive.
Three friends visited him to mourn his losses. They sat with him & didn't speak for 7 days. When they spoke, discussion centered on reasons for his predicament. These gentlemen thought Job did something wrong & hence was being punished. As friends, we need sensitivity to correctly read situations, since multiple feelings can emanate from loss.
The fourth friend, Elihu, informed Job that God delivers the afflicted from their affliction, Job 36:15 & he exalted God's power, Job 36:22.
Ultimately, God rebuked the 3 friends; they had to offer a sacrifice because they did not speak the right thing. Job prayed for his friends, so that God did not deal unfavorably
with them for inaccurate speeches. Job had to stay flexible to accomplish this task.
Job learned that God can do all things, Job 42:2. He recognized that he had heard of God; this trouble allowed him to see God, Job 42:5. The Lord returned to Job all the things that he lost, when he prayed for his friends. (It can be difficult to pray for someone that misunderstood you. Press forward and pray for them). The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before, Job 42:10.
Takeaways: 1) Know that undesired circumstances don't mark an entire life. 2) Seek to genuinely understand and comfort someone else's plight. 3) Maintain the ability to flex, pivot, swivel or rotate. Then, we see God's involvement more clearly.
Fully Persuaded Faith offers support in this area: https://www.marilynnjames.com/.
Bless you and your family with favor, health, strength and safety now and ongoing...
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