When pain seems unbearable
The perplexing problem of pain, part 3 of 3
“Why is life given to those with no future, those destined by God to live
in distress?…my groans pour out like water…I have no peace.”
(Job 3:23-24&26, NLT)
I. Hurts that hamper the human heart
3 Spiritual “chest pains” of the human heart (Job 1–2, NLT)
1. The pain of financial devastation.
“‘The Sabeans stole all the animals and killed all the farm hands..’ another arrived: ‘The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep & all the shepherds..’ a third messenger arrived: ‘Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants…’”(Job 1:9–17)
2. The pain of physical affliction.
“Satan.. struck Job with a terrible case of boils from head to foot.”(Job 2:7)
3. The pain of personal isolation.
“A powerful wind swept in..hit the house..it collapsed, and all your children are dead.”(Job 1:18–19)
“His wife said,‘ Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.’”(Job 2:9)
“Three of Job’s friends were Eliphaz.. Bildad.. and Zophar. When they heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together.. to comfort and console him.”(Job 2:11)
II. How heart pain becomes human gain
The benefits of God’s “open heart surgery”(Job 38–42, NLT)
1. Hurt raises important questions we might never ask.
“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’” (Job 38:1–3)
2. Hurt redirects us to a clearer view of who God is.
“Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘…You ask, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me… I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said.. to show my repentance.”(Job 42:1–3,5–6)
3. Hurt reminds us to identify the pain of others.
“After the Lord had finished speaking to Job, he said.. ‘I am angry with you and with your two friends, for you have not been right in what you said about me, as my servant Job was…He will pray for you…and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer.”(Job 42:7-9)
4. Hurt rewards us w/appreciation for all that God gives us.
“When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact the Lord gave im twice as much as before!… So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning…he died, an old man who had lived a long, good life.” (Job 42:10,12,17)
We must choose to either:
harbor hate over our hurt,
Run and hide from our hurt,
or humbly grow in our hurt.
“Put your heart right, reach out to God… then face the world again, firm and courageous.Then all your troubles will fade from your memory.
”(Job 11:13–16, TEV)