“At first Job bore these calamities with amazing submission: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord . . . Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil?”
But as the misery drug out over the months, Job wavered in his confidence that God was for him. In defending himself against the bad theology of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, he said things about God that were not true. Job began to insist on his own righteousness at the expense of God’s justice.” – John Piper
Suffering isn’t a one-size-fits-all ordeal. It shows up unexpectedly sometimes, weaving its way through different chapters of our lives. My husband and I have been married for 14 years, sharing a bond that’s weathered some serious storms. In my twenties, instead of diving into my career, I found myself grappling with dysautonomia, a condition that hijacked my body’s autopilot functions. Standing up for more than a few minutes would often trigger fainting spells, leaving me navigating life from a place of debilitating weakness. Those were challenging years, marked by a roller-coaster of symptoms and a relentless battle with nausea.
During the hard years, my life was a constant cycle of illness, with periods of reprieve few and far between. The unpredictability of my condition meant that every day was a challenge, with symptoms persisting for weeks, months, and even years at a time. Despite moments of stability, the specter of dysautonomia loomed large, casting a shadow over our hopes and dreams. In the face of such adversity, my husband and I didn’t see any better choice than to lean on each other and our faith. As I entered my thirties, there was a glimmer of hope—a period of stability and healing that reignited our dream of starting a family. But life had other plans. A diagnosis of advanced stage four endometriosis brought fresh heartache, once again deferring our hopes and leaving me wrestling with longing and uncertainty.
Paul Tripp, a pastor, author, and international conference speaker who is widely respected for his insightful teachings on Christian living, relationships, and counseling once wisely said, “Suffering is never simply about suffering. Suffering is always about the glory of God and the good of His people.” This truth encapsulates the essence of Job’s journey, because the book of Job actually isn’t entirely about Job.
“Hope that is pinned on anything less than Christ cannot bear the weight of our deepest longings. It is not uncommon for people to invest their hope and trust in relationships, careers, or achievements, only to find them unable to satisfy the soul’s deepest desires. True and lasting hope is found in Christ alone, who offers fulfillment beyond our earthly pursuits and provides a foundation that can withstand the trials and challenges of life.”
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT) That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
The Book of Job is an ancient text that offers a profound exploration of suffering and faith, mirroring the human experience and calling the reader to hope in a good God’s supreme authority over all things (etc.). From Job’s initial despair to his eventual trust in God’s wisdom, the narrative reflects the complexities of suffering and the transforming power of faith. Through Job’s story, the reader is reminded to persevere and trust in God’s plan, even in the darkest moments.
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7