SUFFER: Five-Minute Friday

Suffering Times One Hundred

We all eventually suffer. I have suffered through a ruptured appendix, followed by a lengthy recovery. I suffered from multiple cases of Covid, a skin malady that spread to all parts of my body, a painful bout with shingles, untold numbers of colds, infections, disappointments, job losses, deaths of family members and friends, and just anything you can imagine that is financial, physical, spiritual, or emotional.

However, my suffering is paltry compared to that of the Old Testament man we know as Job. Job was special and God says so in Job 1:8: “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’”

And yet, Job suffered greatly. He lost his servants, his livestock, all of his children, and then his health. The total losses and pain are unimaginable compared to what I have faced. And yet, the first chapter of Job records and amazing declaration by Job: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21

What is even more amazing and instructive is what he did before he said this: 1:20 “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.” He worshipped. This seems counterintuitive. He could have rebelled and declared war against God. He could have said, “God doesn’t love me.” But he did not. He suffered more than one hundred times more disaster and pain than I have had to endure.

The Long-term Outcome for True Christ Followers

They are blessed. Because they have faith even in something and Someone who is unseen, they repeat, like Job, “blessed be the name of the Lord.” Here is how Peter expresses it:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9

How to Identify a Follower of Jesus

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” James 5:13 (Note: Praying to an unseen God who exists, is not irrational. It is faith.)

Five Minute Friday

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.