My workout was great today. Everything about my morning workout was great. Everything. Ok, it was Yoga too...and I still enjoyed it...Annie joined me today too. Wow...she hung in there and did everything as well. She is a trooper. It is fun to workout together...I love her for even wanting to join me...especially after she has seen my agony over the last 6 weeks. She must be tougher than me! :)
I finished the book of Job today. I have always been aware of Job and read thru Job before. I am not sure the significance this time but it has really struck me more this time than before.
Job suffered. And he suffered. And he suffered. At first, his response was incredible as described in yesterday's blog. As his sufferings continued the tone changed. Job went from praise to complaining. Not complaining of God...but complaining that he didn't understand why he was suffering. He drew his own conclusions of punishment for his sin nature and attitude but then quickly downplayed that because he didn't think he was guilty of anything strong enough to create this kind of suffering. Then, he suffered even more because God would not answer him and would not relieve him of the suffering when he prayed to God. Job thought it was as if God has just forgotten about him and was never going to relieve him of the sufferings because Job just "deserved" it.
Then, to top it off, his friends tried to counsel him by pointing out to him that Job was wrong for his actions, attitudes, and opinions. In fact, they tried to point out why they knew he was suffering and why he should immediately change his attitude because it was sinful and wrong.
God has a mysterious way about Him and His plans that no one knows. God finally spoke...and He chose to speak to Job rather than any of the friends. God told Job that he was not the author of all of this, that he didn't create the heavens, that he is not in control...but God is in control and He is the author of the suffering and that He intends it for something greater than just punishment but for something good. God didn't really even provide Job an answer for his sufferings...He just made it a point to be sure Job still knew who was in control of his life. He, in fact, chastises the friends for acting as if they knew what was wrong and why, for trying to appear to be as righteous as Job was...when God would much rather have heard Job's grumbling because He knew it was honest, without cursing to God, and real from Job's heart. It wasn't a superficial knowledge of God. Job was restored because of his righteousness during his suffering and concern for his friends in the end rather than himself.
His friends spoke about God...while Job spoke with God. There is a big difference. Sufferings come and they go. What are you suffering over right now? Are you grumbling or praising God for whatever He is trying to do in your life through the pain and torment? Don't give up hope. God is watching and waiting to bless you through it. The answer to "why" may never be given during your life her on earth...but it doesn't matter. It still has a purpose that God knows...in His mysterious ways.
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