Do you know people you find wearying?
They incessantly 'share' stories of the
personal wrongs done to them with anyone who will listen, and frankly, they
become a burden. These people weary you, so you avoid them. Yes, I know that's
not what Jesus would do. However, if we are truthful, it is what we do.
We all know others in far worse
circumstances than these people - yet they who endure such circumstances are
often the ones we delight to be around. Why? Their lives exude joy! They encourage you, and
you come away with a renewed sense of purpose, an uplifted spirit, and a
smile. Certainly, they're wounded, and
they know it. But those who are a delight to be around even in the midst of
their difficulties, don't bathe in that woundedness and others are drawn to
them because of their joy. We cringe from the attitude of those who weary us and
we're attracted to the attitude of those whom even in the trials of their own
lives, encourage us.
In the first chapter of Job, Satan
tried to dismantle Job's relationship with God (Job 1:9) by afflicting him with a series of 'hit and run' problems—serious
and sudden troubles with devastating results. The devil used natural disasters,
violent attacks, and illness to try to turn Job against his Maker (1:13-19,
2:3-7). Job didn't submit to Satan's
tactics, although he did struggle to stay close to God. During the time of
testing, his friend, Eliphaz advised: "I would go to God and present my
case to Him" (5:8). Eliphaz was earnestly urging Job to hash things out
with his Creator—to express the fear, anger, and confusion. Eliphaz reminded Job that God "protects
those who suffer" (5:11). This truth can prevent us from blaming God and
turning away from Him when we need Him the most. While God sometimes allows
peril to plague us, He never abandons us in our distress (Psalm 23:4,NIV) - Even though I walk through the darkest
valley, I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.Eliphaz ended up being one of those who weary the already distressed. While he thought he was ‘helping’, he focused on what he thought. He had the answer to the “problem”. And although Eliphaz was a fairly good encourager, but he wrongly suggested that Job's problems stemmed from God's judgement. Although Job was innocent, it's worth noting that sometimes sin does bring trouble to our lives. (Think of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah.) In that case, we can stay near to God by repenting and accepting His correction (Job 5:17). But as we read in the Chapter 1, Job was an honest and innocent man; he honored God and stayed away from evil.
Be aware that Satan wants the shock and bewilderment of hit and run problems to jar your faith and stop you turning to God. Turn the tables on him. Keep praying; don't play the blame game (Reference: James 1:22 (NLT) But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
Repent when necessary. When trouble
strikes, "Come close to God, and God will come close to you" (James
4:8). Read 1 Peter 1:6-7 to see the outcome
of tested faith. [In
all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to
suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the
proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes
even though refined by fire —may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus
Christ is revealed.]
Now read Jeremiah 17:7-8 to
see how God blesses people who trust in Him
even during hardships. {
"But the person who trusts in the Lord will be blessed. The Lord will show him that he can be
trusted. He will be
strong, like a tree planted near water
that sends its roots by a stream.
It is not afraid when the days are hot; its leaves are always green. It does
not worry in a year when no rain comes; it always produces fruit.}
Two Questions to reflect on:
1. Why are Christian friends especially important during difficult days?
During
the times when we undergo testing and trials we need to remain in
fellowship. Church should be the place
where we can be encouraged. A safe place
where our fellow brothers and sisters pray for us. When our Christian Brothers and sisters go
through testing and trials we too should be encouraging them and praying for
them.
2. How does
your relationship with God change when life doesn't go your way?
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