Job 4:1-21

But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; trouble hits you, and you are terrified (Job 4:5, NCV)

Life is not always easy. Sometimes life is downright hard.

Job’s life was one that was not quite what one would call easy.

He had a huge estate, large family and devoted spouse. He had looks and wealth and the trust of his community.

He also had a deep faith… yet everything went wrong for him.

His family was taken from him, his wealth stolen, his good looks spoiled, his community betrayed him…

We turn to Job to find answers to why we suffer… why, even if we are faithful, we have difficulties. Especially in this “God wants you to have all your dreams” world we inhabit, it can be tough to wrestle with suffering.

But, Job doesn’t have an easy answer. In fact, the point of Job is to show that there is no easy answer. The only answer we get is this: God is there. God is with us in our suffering. God is with us in our pain and fear and frustration. God is with us. When the world gives us more than we can handle (which it so often does), God is there with us pulling, pushing, propping us through.

In that we can take comfort.

Lord, help us see you present in all life brings us. The Good, the bad and the ugly. Amen!

– The Editors