Life Lessons: Intense Integrity (Job)

Reading: Job 1-2

I have a confession and it makes me feel awful but I feel I can be honest with you, my friend. When I read the beginning of Job’s story, I have to admit that Satan seems to have a point. Now, I know how the story will eventually play out but my human nature can’t help but think he is making a fair point. Job has a family that he seems to love. He has possessions and a nice home. His life seems pretty great so of course it’s easy to praise the Lord. Satan makes sense and here’s the thing… Satan makes sense today, too. That’s why his deceptions work so well. If it didn’t make sense you wouldn’t buy into it. So, now that we have that confession out of the way, let’s continue with Job. 

Like all of us, Job’s life wasn’t perfect forever. We are told that it will rain on the unrighteous and the righteous in Matthew 5:45. Rain comes and after several decades on earth, I’ve come to the conclusion that how you respond to those floods is based primarily on the foundation you had beforehand. I live in a hurricane zone and anyone in my area will tell you that if you wait until the storm arrives to prepare or react you are far too late. Seasons of growth and preparation are gifts from God for us to move forward but some of us waste those times out of complacency or frustration. Job seems to have had a solid foundation of faith in his Father which is reflected in his trials. 

Job understood that in the midst of his trials God was still in control and was still good and worthy of praise. That’s a hard thing to remember sometimes because our emotions don’t always line up with our cognitive understanding. We only see Job’s outward reaction so don’t think that he didn’t struggle internally just as we all do but he chose praise, just as we can. His praise came out as an overflowing of what he knew to be true rather than what he felt at the moment. Also, please don’t misconstrue his praise as a lack of care or emotions. You can praise the Father through tears just as well as through laughter and if I’m honest, those moments of praise have offered what felt like oxygen to my suffocating soul. 

If you can’t fathom praising God in the midst of your current situation, ask the Lord to help you to be willing and if that’s a step to far right now, ask him to help you be willing to be willing. Sometimes that is the first step to the hope you need. 

Today’s Prayer

Lord, I’m sorry for the times when I let my circumstances determine how I feel about You because I know You are a good Father, worthy of praise. Please hold me in those moments of darkness and guide me towards Your light. Thank you for never leaving me alone.