No one has ever been able to explain why bad things happen to good people. However, this shortened passage from the Book of Job has always helped me to at least put the bad things that happen to me in perspective and to learn something from the bad things that happen to me and those around me.
When "bad things" happen to me, I try to remember at least two things: (1) Compared to what others have to go through, all I have most of the time are aggravations, while others have real problems. Realizing that, I try my best not to complain. (2) Compared to what others have to go through, I have had it good for many years while others have suffered for many years with permanent severe health issues, grinding poverty and a constant fear so intense that they have never had a chance to enjoy even one full day of peace, success and happiness.
Read this little story and remember it the next time you go through a time of trial. Remember two things: (1) The more you have been "on top" in life, the more your having to experience the "bottom" will probably cause you to complain bitterly and even blame the same God you never thanked when things were going so well for you. Above all, ask yourself, "Is this a real problem or is this a mere aggravation? (2) Try to remember how good you have had it compared to so many others in this world and stay faithful like Job, the man of God, who was able to put his "bad experiences" in perspective and learn something about yourself and others from those experiences.
In the
Seven sons and three daughters were born to him; and he had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred she-donkeys and a very large household, so that he was greater than anyone in the East.
His sons used t take turns giving feasts, sending invitations to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
And when each feast had run its course, Job would send for them and sanctify them, rising early and offering sacrifices for every one of them. For Job said, “it may be that my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Job did this habitually.
One day, when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan also cam among them.
The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you been?” The Satan answered the Lord and said, “Roaming the earth and patrolling it.”
The Lord said to Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.”
The Satan answered the Lord and
said, “Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?” Have you not surrounded him
and his family and all that he has with your protection? You have blessed the
work of his hands, and his livestock are spread over the land. But now put forth your hand and touch all
that he has, and surely he will curse you to your face.”
The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
One day, while his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing beside them, and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
He was still speaking when another came and said, “God’s fire has fallen from heaven and struck the sheep and the servants and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you.”
He was still speaking when another came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three columns, seized the camels, carried them off, put the servants to the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.”
He was still speaking when another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother, and suddenly a great wind came from across the desert and smashed the four corners of the house. It fell upon the young people and they are dead; I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Satan then went forth and smote Job with severe boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding to your innocence? Curse God and die.”
But Job said to her, “Are even you going to speak like a crazy woman? We accept good things from God; should we not accept bad things?”
Through all this, Job said
nothing sinful.
WORD OF THE LORD
No comments:
Post a Comment