Job & Hard times

I've been reading the beginning of Job and it has really resonated in my heart. Sometimes we face immeasurably painful things, and we don't understand why. But sometimes God allows us to go through struggles, because without it our faith wouldn't be able to grow. So if you are facing hard times, please hold onto God. Trust that He knows what He is doing and be confident in that His purpose will be fulfilled through these difficult times. Know that no matter what you go through, there is one reality that this world cannot take away- God's love for us!

Job 2:10
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Notes from NASB Life Application Study Bible Job 1-4

Job 1
- we must experience life as Job did- 1 day at a time & w/o complete answers to all of life's questions/
- Will we, like Job, trust God no matter what? Or will we give into the temptation to say God doesn't really care?
- faith in God is justified even when our situations look hopeless; Faith based on rewards/ prosperity is hollow; unshakable faith- must be built on confidence that God's ultimate purpose will come to pass
- Satan is limited by God's power and can do only what he is permitted to do, Satan can do nothing w/o God's permission; God's people can overcome his attacks through God's power!
- Although God loves us, believing and obeying Him do not shelter us from life's calamities
- how do you respond in times of trouble? Do you ask God, "Why me?" or do you say, "Use me!"?
- put roots of your faith down deep into God so you can withstand any storm you face

Job 2
- God created our emotions, and it's not sinful/ inappropriate to express them as Job did
- message of Job: you should not give up on God because He allows you to have bad experiences
- God is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but He may also allow suffering to come for reasons we can't understand; if we always knew why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow!

Job 3
- When someone is in need, go to that person, but be sensitive in how you comfort him or her
- Often, we feel we must say something spiritual and insightful to a hurting friend, but maybe what he/she needs most is just our presence, showing that we care- empathetic silence & loving companionship
- We must hold onto our faith even if there is no relief
- Job driven back to basics of faith- 2 choices: 1) He could curse God and give up, or 2) he could trust God and draw strength from Him to continue, what will yours be?
- trials and grief, whether temporary of enduring, do not destroy real purpose of life; life x merely for happiness & personal fulfillment, but to serve and honor God
- worth and meaning of life x based on what we feel, but on 1 reality no on can take away- God's love for us! (Romans 8:38-39)

Job 4
- Eliphaz- some good comments, but 3 wrong assumptions 1) a good and innocent person never suffers 2) those who suffer are being punished for past sins 3) Job, because he was suffering, had done something wrong in God's eyes
- true that those who promote sin and trouble eventually will be punished; it is false that anyone who is good and innocent will never suffer
- Bible gives us teachings and examples of what we should do as well as what we should not do
- Don't limit God to your perspective and finite understanding of life


Hold on to your faith in God! He does care for you. He has not abandoned you. He loves you and is with you in every situation. So trust Him and He will carry you through