Tag: Suffering

The Study of Job – Post Four

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Week Seven of the Devotional Series 

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our fourth week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 7 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 14 – 16

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 14 – “When Hope Feels Cut Down” 

Chapter 15 – “Don’t be that Friend”

Chapter 16 – “Miserable Comforters Are Ye All”

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse — Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

– Galatians 6:2 (KJV) 

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 14

“When Hope Feels Cut Down” 

(Read Job Chapter 14 First)

Job’s honesty with God challenges me. He’s not hiding his grief, frustration, or even his confusion. He’s still talking to God even if his words are raw and heavy. That encourages me to do the same. When I’m overwhelmed or hurting, I don’t have to clean up my feelings before I come to God. I can just come.

One part of this chapter that really stood out was how Job looked at nature to make sense of his pain. He noticed how a tree cut down can sprout again, and for a second, I thought he was feeling hopeful. But as I read more closely, it seemed like he was actually longing to be able to recover like the tree, to continue. Instead, when I read further I realized he felt stuck in hopelessness, convinced that man dies and that’s the end. His sorrow ran deep.

Still, I can relate to Job in that pull toward nature when things are hard. I’ve felt that desire before to get outside and talk to God surrounded by what He’s made. Somehow it quiets the noise and reminds me that He’s still present, even when I don’t understand.

Job’s words are painful, but they’re also real. He felt like God had turned against him, like all hope was gone. And while I know the end of Job’s story, that God restores him, I don’t want to rush past the ache in this part of the journey. Because sometimes, we’re in that part too. And it’s okay to bring it all to God. We can bring every question, every doubt, every word. Job did. And God never stopped listening.

Application Thought:

I love to walk almost every evening after dinner, mostly, just along the trails through our woods. That quiet time helps me slow down, pray, and really talk to God. I feel more connected with Him in those moments. Maybe you could try that too this week. 

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 15

“Don’t be that Friend” 

(Read Job Chapter 15 First)

As we read through Job 15, we see Eliphaz jump back in to respond to Job. He questions Job’s words, accusing him of speaking things that are pointless and unhelpful. Eliphaz seems frustrated and says, in essence, “Why are you talking like this? It’s not doing any good.” But from our perspective, we know that Job is in deep pain, trying to process everything he’s just lost. His words might sound dramatic or even irrational but who wouldn’t be shaken after all he’s endured?

These chapters are filled with poetic language and can be hard to understand. I’ve found that using the Blue Letter Bible app is really helpful when I want to dig into the original meanings of certain words. It helps to give a clearer picture.

Eliphaz goes on to accuse Job of sin, saying, “Your own mouth condemns you.” He basically tells Job: You’re showing your guilt by the way you speak. Then he challenges Job further: What do you know that we don’t? Why won’t you let God comfort you? Why are you speaking this way and turning from Him?

Eliphaz admits that no one is righteous. We are all born of a woman, unclean, and sinful. He even says that we drink sin like water. Then he gives a long speech describing what happens to wicked men: they may appear to succeed for a while, but pain and destruction will come. They’ll live in fear, hunger, trouble, and darkness. In the end, they’ll have no home, no wealth, and no hope.

The problem is that Eliphaz assumes Job is that kind of man. He believes Job must be wicked because of the suffering he’s facing. But as readers, we know the truth: Job isn’t being punished for sin. He’s being tested.

Just like Job, there may be times in life when others assume the worst about you. Maybe they think you’re to blame for something you didn’t do, or they misread your pain as weakness, sin, or failure. 

It could be:

• A friend thinks you’ve ignored them on purpose, but really you were just overwhelmed.

• Someone gossips about you at church or work, twisting your words or motives.

• A family member lashes out, blaming you for something that wasn’t your decision or fault.

When that happens, your natural reaction might be to defend yourself angrily, get bitter, or try to make them feel guilty. But you will see Job’s response in chapter 16 shows a different way. He has a heartbroken honesty before God, not lashing out, but turning to the One who knows the truth.

Here’s the application:

When people wrongly accuse you, remember this:

• God sees the full truth, even when people don’t (Job 16:19 — “Also now,   behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.”)

• You don’t have to clear your name in everyone’s eyes. You can rest in   God’s perfect judgment.

• Don’t let hurt drive you to become bitter or cold toward others.

• Use your pain as a reminder to never do the same to someone else.   Don’t assume you know someone’s full story.

Sometimes we do exactly what Eliphaz does. We see someone suffering and jump to conclusions. We assume that if someone is going through a hard time, they must have done something wrong. We might even try to give them Scripture, not to comfort or point them to hope, but to correct or accuse.

Eliphaz speaks some true things. He says that no one is perfectly righteous before God, but he wrongly applies those truths. He assumes Job is the wicked man he’s describing, without knowing the full story. How often do we do that too? How quick are we to speak when we don’t really understand someone’s situation?

God doesn’t call us to be like Job’s friends. He calls us to be His. And our God is “full of compassion and mercy” (James 5:11). So before we offer advice, we should ask ourselves:

• Am I trying to help or trying to be right?

• Do I really know the whole story?

• Is this a moment for truth, or a moment for comfort?

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 16

“Miserable Comforters Are Ye All”

(Read Job Chapter 16 First) 

Job Chapter 16 Summary:

In Job 16, Job responds to his friends’ harsh and judgmental words. He calls them “miserable comforters,” expressing the deep pain of not only his physical suffering but also the emotional pain of being misunderstood. He says that if the roles were reversed, he would choose to comfort them with compassion. Job feels that God is pouring out His wrath on him, even though Job insists he has remained pure in his prayers. His suffering is so intense that it’s physically changing his appearance, and he pleads for someone to advocate for him before God. Still, he finds a glimmer of hope in knowing that his witness is in heaven.

Guided Questions:

  • Can you relate to Job’s feelings of being misunderstood or abandoned?
  • What does Job wish his friends would do for him instead of criticizing him?

– Have you ever needed comfort and received judgment instead? How did   that affect you?

  • Verse 5 says, “But I would strengthen you with my mouth.”

– How can your words strengthen someone who is hurting?

– Can you think of someone in your life right now who needs kind words?

  • Job expresses that God seems distant or even harsh toward him.

– Is it okay to tell God when we feel hurt or confused by His actions?

– Have you ever felt this way and how did you work through those   emotions?

  • In verse 19, Job says, “Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven.”

– What does this say about Job’s faith in the midst of his suffering?

– How can we cling to the truth that God sees us when others   misunderstand us?

– This verse helps me when I feel misunderstood or misrepresented by others. “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” — 1 Corinthians 4:5 (KJV)

  • Job ends this chapter with thoughts of death and relief from pain.

– When life feels overwhelming, where can we turn for lasting hope and   comfort?

– How can we be that comfort to others?

Let’s look at some verses Showing how God Comforts: 

1. 2 Corinthians 1:3–4

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

God comforts us so that we can pass that same comfort on to others.

2. Isaiah 66:13

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

God’s comfort is tender, like a mother’s love.

3. Psalm 34:18

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

He draws near to the hurting and broken.

4. Psalm 147:3

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”

God doesn’t ignore pain. He personally tends to it.

5. Isaiah 49:13

“Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.”

God’s comfort is tied to His mercy and causes great joy.

6. Psalm 23:4

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:

for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Even in life’s darkest valleys, His presence brings peace.

Life Application and Challenge:

Job said he would “strengthen” and “soothe” his friends with his words (v. 5).

What are some practical ways you can comfort a friend who’s hurting today?

• A meal

• A handwritten note

• A prayer text

• Simply being present in silence

Key Takeaway: 

True comfort doesn’t come from fixing someone’s pain or figuring out why it happened. It comes from sitting with them in it. Job’s story reminds us that God welcomes our honesty, even when we’re confused or broken. It also challenges us to be better comforters. Instead of rushing to correct or explain suffering, let’s be the kind of friends who strengthen with our words, listen with empathy, and point others to the One who sees it all. 

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being the ultimate comforter. Thank You for giving us Your word to learn from. Today, the Bible has shown us the kind of friend we don’t need to be and how to look at You and the ways You comfort. We can emulate Your ways if we allow You to teach and guide us. We are challenged and motivated to be someone’s comforter this week. Help us to be available and willing to help. We love You, thank You, and praise You for all You’ve done for us.   

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen

The Study of Job – Post Three

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Week Six of the Devotional Series 

*Quick Note:

There won’t be a new post or devotion next Monday, July 21st. Our church is hosting a week-long Bible Camp, and I’ll be serving there all week! Because of that, I won’t have the time or focus needed to write and prepare a full devotion. Thank you for understanding, and I’m already looking forward to jumping back into our study the following week!

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our third week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 6 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 10 – 13

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 10 – When Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense 

Chapter 11 – Assumptions Wrapped in Advice 

Chapter 12 – When Wisdom Is Twisted and Suffering Is Misunderstood

Chapter 13 – Faith That Speaks Up

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse — Job 13:15 (KJV):

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 10

When Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense 

(Read Job Chapter 10 First)

This chapter really moved me. It feels like Job is praying straight from a place of soul-crushing grief and yet he doesn’t turn away from God. That alone speaks volumes.

Job starts by saying that his soul loathes life. He’s physically suffering and  emotionally and spiritually worn down. But even in this dark place, he’s still talking to God. And he says something incredibly brave: “Do not condemn me; show me why You contend with me.” Job is asking God to help him understand what’s going on. Have you ever been in the place where the pain is so thick that you cry out, “God, why?”

He starts asking honest questions:

– “Are You seeing me like man sees me?”

– “Are You judging me without knowing the full picture?”

– “You made me with so much care and love, so why are You destroying me now?”

Job reminds God that He was the one who formed him from the dust, the one who knitted together every part of his being. And then comes verse 13, which stopped me in my tracks…

“And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.”

Job doesn’t understand what’s happening, but he trusts that God does. He believes God has hidden purposes tucked inside His heart. 

He says that whether he’s wicked or righteous, the outcome of grief feels the same.  He feels hunted and beaten down. He honestly pleas with God again: “Why was I even born? Wouldn’t it have been better to never have existed than to live through this?”

And yet… he keeps talking to God. That, to me, is the most beautiful and powerful part. He’s confused. He’s hurting. He feels God’s silence. But he keeps the line of communication open.

This chapter reminded me that it’s okay to pour out our pain to God. It’s okay to ask Him hard questions. God didn’t strike Job down for saying these things. He listened.

And He still does.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 11

Assumptions Wrapped in Advice

(Read Job Chapter 11 First)

Now we hear from another one of Job’s friends, Zophar, and once again, we see the same pattern: assume guilt, offer advice. But Zophar doesn’t hold back. He even starts the conversation with accusation. 

Zophar is offended by Job’s words and essentially says, “Should your many words go unanswered? Should your talk make you right?” He accuses Job of lying, mocking God, and pretending to be pure when clearly (according to Zophar) he’s not.

He says something that sounds true on the surface: God’s wisdom is far greater than anything we can comprehend (Job 11:7–9). That truth echoes throughout Scripture (see Romans 11:33), but Zophar misuses it. Instead of using God’s greatness to encourage or comfort, he uses it to accuse and condemn. OUCH!

He claims that Job is actually being punished less than he deserves (v. 6) This is a bold and deeply wrong assumption. We know from Job 1:8 that God called Job “blameless and upright.”

We learn here that there is no simple formula. Zophar offers a theology built on if-then logic: If you suffer, you must have sinned. If you repent, God will bless you. But Job’s story challenges that thinking. His suffering wasn’t the result of wrongdoing, and repentance wasn’t the quick fix his friends claimed it would be.

Instead, we’re reminded that God’s ways are deeper than formulas. There are things happening in our lives that we are not equipped to fully understand. Faith doesn’t mean everything will make sense. It means trusting that God is working, even when it doesn’t.

Let’s pause and reflect together:

• Have you ever been given advice that was based on a false assumption about you or your situation?

• Have you ever made the same mistake of jumping to conclusions about someone else’s suffering?

• Zophar spoke from what he thought he knew. How can we be more thoughtful, gracious, and humble when walking with others through pain?

Zophar’s words remind us that even truth, when misapplied, can wound rather than heal. As we study, let’s not just learn what was said, but consider how we speak to others in their hurt. We would do well to remember that comfort and compassion go hand in hand. 

Devotional Thought:

I can’t help but notice that we keep hearing this same cycle over and over…

Job is being accused, again, that the suffering that suddenly invaded his life must be the result of hidden sin or wickedness. And Job, in the depths of his grief, is trying so hard to express that he has not sinned, nor does he have evil in his heart.

His friends offer no compassion, no curiosity, no grace. Just judgment.

It seems like God really wants us to slow down and let this truth sink in: when we walk alongside someone in pain, assumptions hurt but compassion heals. These chapters challenge us to listen better, judge less, and point people to God’s presence, not just our opinions.

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Job Chapter 12

When Wisdom Is Twisted and Suffering Is Misunderstood

(Read Job Chapter 12 First)

Now it’s Job’s turn to respond, and he doesn’t hold back. You can almost hear the sarcasm in his voice when he says, “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.” (v. 2) In today’s language, that might sound like, “Wow, you must be the only wise people left and when you’re gone, wisdom’s gone too.” After sitting in so much grief, Job is finally standing up and speaking with a spark again.

He reminds his friends that he has understanding, too. He’s not beneath them. In fact, he says, “Who doesn’t know the things you’re saying?” Job is finally speaking to them about his frustration with their hollow theology. He’s been crying out to God, and instead of comfort, his friends mock and shame him.

Job points out something incredibly honest: sometimes the wicked do prosper. He says even those who rob and provoke God seem secure and blessed. His friends have been preaching a very narrow view: that good people are always blessed and bad people are always punished. But Job looks around and says, “That’s just not what I see.”

He challenges their assumptions by saying even the animals, the birds, the fish, and the earth itself could tell you that everything happens under the hand of God. Nothing slips past Him. Every breath we take is in His hands.

Then Job gets to the heart of it: we all have the ability to listen and discern. Just like the tongue tastes food, the ear tests words. And what he’s hearing from his friends? He knows it’s not truth. It’s oversimplified. It lacks compassion. And it completely misunderstands God’s power.

Job reminds them, and us, that wisdom and strength ultimately belong to God alone. Not to man. Not to kings or nations. Not even to those who sound confident when they speak. God alone holds the power to break down, build up, silence, flood, or dry up. He can humble leaders, silence the wise, and cause nations to rise or fall. He is sovereign over all of it.

Let’s Reflect Together:

• Job is frustrated by the assumption that his suffering must be his fault.

Have you ever been misunderstood in a painful season?

• Job says even creation knows that everything is in God’s hands.

Do you find comfort in remembering that God is ultimately in control?

• Job reminds us that God can humble the proud and lift up the lowly.

How does that challenge the way we view success, power, or status?

• How does this chapter help you reframe the idea that blessing =   obedience and suffering = disobedience?

• What would it look like for you to trust God’s sovereignty, even when    things feel unfair or confusing?

This chapter is a turning point. Job doesn’t have answers yet, but he knows that his friends don’t either. He’s beginning to anchor himself in what is true: God is wise, powerful, just, and always in control. Even when we don’t understand, we can rest in that.

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You Do – Apply It Personally

Job Chapter 13

Faith That Speaks Up

(Read Job Chapter 13 First) 

Job Chapter 13 Summary:

In Job 13, Job continues to respond directly to his friends who have been accusing him and claiming to speak for God. He explains again that he is just as knowledgeable as they are and challenges their wisdom. Job expresses his deep desire to plead his case before God Himself, wanting to reason honestly and openly with Him.

He criticizes his friends for giving misleading advice. He compares them to doctors who cannot heal but only cause more harm. Job urges them to be silent so he can speak and explain his situation clearly.

Job boldly questions God, asking why he is being punished so severely, even considering that it’s for sins he committed long ago. He feels trapped and watched closely by God, as if under constant surveillance, suffering and deteriorating under this intense pressure.

Despite his confusion and pain, Job declares his intention to continue trusting God and maintaining his integrity. He is honest about his fear and suffering but still hopes God will listen and receive him.

1. Reflect on Your Response to Others’ Opinions

Job challenges his friends who speak for God but misrepresent Him. Have you ever been quick to judge or give advice without fully understanding God’s perspective?

• Take a moment to ask: Am I speaking words that build up, or am I like Job’s friends who give “useless advice” or speak out of ignorance?

• Action: Practice listening more carefully to others before responding, and ask God for wisdom before you speak.

2. Examine Your View of God

Job calls out those who hold a limited or false view of God’s justice and power.

• Ask yourself: Is my understanding of God shaped by my experiences or cultural views rather than His true character?

• Action: Spend time studying God’s nature in Scripture, especially His justice, mercy, and sovereignty.

3. Invite God into Your Honest Questions and Fears

Job openly pleads with God. He asks why he suffers, what sins might be hidden, and expresses his fear and confusion.

• Consider: Do I bring my doubts and fears honestly before God, or do I hide them?

• Action: Write down your current struggles or questions and pray them honestly to God, trusting that He can handle your doubts.

4. Trust God Even When You Don’t Understand

Despite feeling trapped and under intense scrutiny, Job chooses to keep walking upright before God and trusts He will receive him.

• Reflect: Can I commit to trusting God in my trials, even when I don’t understand why they’re happening?

• Action: Identify one area of difficulty in your life. Pray specifically for trust and perseverance to walk faithfully through it.

5. Seek God’s Guidance and Allow Him to Search Your Heart

Job asks God to search him and reveal anything that needs correction.

• Self-examination: Am I willing to let God search my heart, even if it’s uncomfortable?

• Action: Ask God to reveal any hidden sin or attitude that needs to change, and be ready to respond with repentance.

Key Takeaway: 

In the midst of deep suffering and confusion, it is okay to wrestle honestly with God with questioning, pleading, and even expressing our fears. We must choose to trust His wisdom and justice beyond what we can see or understand.

Heavenly Father,

As we continue reading through Job, we’re thankful for all that You’re teaching us. Through his story, we learn what to do and what not to do. Thank You that even when we’re faced with difficult people, You can use those moments to teach us how we don’t want to act.

Lord, when we go through hard times, help us to trust that You still have a plan and that it’s for our good. Thank You for listening when all we can offer is our brokenness. Thank You for caring so deeply for us.

Please guide our words when we speak to those who are hurting. Help us remember that comfort and compassion go hand in hand. Make us better listeners and less quick to judge.

Let our words build up, not tear down. Help us to notice Your character as we read and study Your Word. Give us the courage to bring our hardest questions, doubts, and fears honestly before You.

And Lord, as we examine ourselves, reveal anything in us that needs healing or repentance. We bring it to You, trusting that You are faithful to restore.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen 

The Study of Job – Post Two

brookepacheco5

Week Five of the Devotional Series 

*Note – As we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our second week in the book of Job. Though this is Week 5 overall, we’re still walking alongside Job in his deep sorrow and raw questions. 

Job lived long before Abraham, giving us a powerful early glimpse of faith under fire. His story reminds us that even when life feels broken and confusing, God is still present.

In the midst of suffering, Job’s voice echoes some of our own deepest thoughts and God does not shy away. Let’s lean in together and see what God wants to reveal through his word.*

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 6-9

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 6 – Feeling Misunderstood in Grief  

Chapter 7 – When Life Feels Heavy and Hope Feels Far

Chapter 8 – Bildad Blames Job’s Suffering on Sin

Chapter 9 – It is Futile to Argue with God 

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse — For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  – Isaiah 55:8-9

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 6

Feeling Misunderstood in Grief 

(Read Job Chapter 6 First)

As I read through Job 6, I felt like Job’s heart was laid bare. He’s absolutely crushed. He says his grief is heavier than the sand of the sea. That’s deep sorrow. I can’t even imagine carrying that kind of weight. He wishes for death because he’s so tired of the pain. But even then, he hasn’t cursed God. That stuck out to me. He’s hurting, but he still knows where his help comes from.

Then he turns his words to Eliphaz, and he’s not quiet about how he feels. “You should have shown pity to your friend,” he says. Wow. I underlined that in my Bible.

Job thought Eliphaz came to comfort him, like a cold stream on a hot day, but instead, his friend turned out to be like a dried-up brook. He gave Job a false sense of loyalty, and Job was left even more empty than before. I could feel his disappointment when he said, “I waited for comfort, but I was ashamed.”  How many times have we needed someone, thought they were coming to help, and then felt even more alone?

But Job doesn’t just lash out. He says, “If I’ve messed up, show me, help me understand.” He’s not claiming perfection, but he’s begging for compassion. He reminds his friends that grief changes how a person speaks. He basically says, “You know me. If you really stopped and looked, you’d see I’m telling the truth.”

I thought about that for a while. Grief changes people. It changes what we say, how we feel and how we process. Job is just asking to be seen with mercy, not judgment.

And honestly, I needed that reminder too. Sometimes I rush to assess someone’s response without really pausing to ask what pain is behind it. 

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 7

When Life Feels Heavy and Hope Feels Far 

(Read Job Chapter 7 First) 

Job 7 is one of the most raw and vulnerable chapters so far. Job is not holding anything back. He’s physically suffering, emotionally exhausted, and spiritually drained. We’ve heard his friends offer cold comfort, but now we hear Job himself describe just how deep the ache goes.

He says life feels pointless. He compares his life to a hireling, someone who works and toils just to make it through the day. He feels no progress, no joy, just survival. Maybe you’ve felt that too? Like you’re stuck on repeat, working endlessly, wondering what it’s all for.

He says his nights are “wearisome,” and full of tossing and turning. He’s up all night just waiting for the morning to come. His body is covered in infection, dust, and sores. His mind is anxious. His soul feels empty. He says his life is moving too fast, and yet it feels unbearably long. He sees no purpose in the pain and no light in the future.

And yet…Job talks to God.

Even in despair, he directs his words upward. He doesn’t understand, but he doesn’t forget God. That’s powerful. Even in the bitterness of his soul, he keeps his conversation with God open. Honest. Raw. Desperate. But still open.

Let’s pause and ask some honest questions together:

• Have you ever felt like Job? Like life was more sorrow than joy, and you were just surviving the day-to-day?

• Are you carrying grief or exhaustion in your body, heart, or mind right now?

• Job said he felt like life was moving too fast to keep up with. Do you relate to that feeling?

• What areas of your life feel like they’ve lost purpose or joy?

  • How does it challenge you that Job was brutally honest with God in his pain? Do you talk to God that way, or do you hold back?

This chapter reminds us that God is big enough to handle our grief and our questions. Even our complaints. He’s not distant from our pain. He’s near even when He feels silent.

So as we think about this together, let’s ask: What would it look like to bring our full selves to God? The grief, the mess, the questions…and trust that He still sees us with compassion?

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Job Chapter 8

Bildad Blames Job’s Suffering on Sin

(Read Job Chapter 8 First) 

Now we hear from another friend, Bildad, and if you didn’t know better, you might think Eliphaz was speaking again. He tells Job to stop talking like someone without hope and then implies something unthinkable: maybe your children died because of their own sin.

Bildad’s words sting. He’s attempting to speak with wisdom but his words are soaked in assumption.

His belief is simple: If you do good, God will bless you. If you do wrong, He will punish you. He urges Job to return to God, as if Job hasn’t already clung to Him with everything he has left.

Bildad uses the image of plants needing water and mud to survive. He says that those who forget God are like marsh plants cut off from their source of mud and water. They might look strong and thriving for a moment, but they will wither fast if they’re not rooted in God. That part isn’t entirely wrong. The problem is this is not the case for Job. 

Let’s pause here and reflect:

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever felt judged or misunderstood while going through a hard time?

How did it affect your heart or your view of God?

2. Have you ever jumped to conclusions about someone else’s suffering?

What can this chapter teach us about humility when trying to comfort others?

3. Bildad said that if Job was truly righteous, God would restore him.

Do you ever find yourself believing that right living should automatically equal an easy life?

4. What kind of theology do you carry about blessings and suffering?

Do you believe that trouble in life always means something is wrong between you and God?

5. What does it look like to trust God even when life doesn’t make sense or feel fair?

Bildad meant to help, but he was wrong when assuming comfort comes with conditions: “God will love you again when you get your act together.” We know that God loved Job already. He called him blameless from the beginning. 

Oh, how we can learn a big lesson from Bildad…Let’s not speak to others based on assumptions or rush to fill silence with our opinions. Instead, let’s be present with our hurting friends and resist offering words when we don’t have the answers. As we walk through the book of Job, let’s not just observe the conversation, let’s learn from it.

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You Do – Apply It Personally 

Job Chapter 9

It is Futile to Argue with God 

(Read Job Chapter 9 First.) 

Summary of Job 9: 

In Job 9, Job responds to Bildad on God’s greatness and the hopelessness he feels in trying to justify himself before such a holy and powerful God.

Job begins by acknowledging that no one can be truly righteous before God (v. 2). He describes God’s power: He can move mountains, shake the earth, command the sun, and set the stars in place. His actions are mighty, mysterious, and beyond human understanding (v. 4–10).

Job feels deeply overwhelmed. He says even if he were innocent, he wouldn’t know how to defend himself before God. God is the Judge, and man has no standing to argue with Him (v. 14–15). Job feels like God is afflicting him for no clear reason (v. 17) and is terrified by God’s power and silence.

He also makes a bold observation that both the wicked and the innocent suffer, and sometimes justice seems invisible. (v. 22–24). Job longs for someone to mediate between him and God, a daysman or mediator, because he feels unable to speak to God directly in his pain (v. 33–35).

Now it’s your turn.

Take some time to think about and journal through the questions below. Ask the Holy Spirit to help show you how to apply them personally to your life.

Reflection Questions:

  1. “How can man be just with God?” (Job 9:2)                                                  Job wrestles with the holiness of God and the smallness of man.

– Have you ever felt unworthy or too broken to approach God?

– What does Scripture say about our righteousness through Christ?                        (see Romans 5:1, 2 Corinthians 5:21)

2. Job says God moves in ways we can’t always see or understand.

– Can you recall a time in your life where God was working, even when you didn’t realize it?

– How does this shape your trust in Him now?

3. Job is honest about his fear and exhaustion.

He says God is too holy and high for him to even speak to.

– Have you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God might allow in your life?

– What truths from Scripture remind you that God is both powerful and loving?

( See Job 26:14, Jeremiah 32:17, Psalm 147:5, Lamentations 3:22–23, Psalm 86:15, Isaiah 54:10, Psalm 62:11–12, Nahum 1:7)

4. Job believes the wicked and the upright both suffer in this world.

– Do you ever struggle with the fact that life can feel unfair?

– How do you stay grounded in faith when you don’t understand why things are happening?

5. Job ends this chapter expressing his desire for a mediator between him and God.

– How does knowing Jesus is your mediator and advocate change how you relate to God?

– (See 1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 4:14–16.)

After You Reflect:

Job 9 is heavy. Job’s words come from deep grief and spiritual confusion. He knows God is just and holy, but he cannot see past his current suffering. Yet in all this, he doesn’t walk away from God. He brings his pain directly to Him.

When we face seasons of silence, suffering, or fear, God doesn’t ask us to hide our questions. He invites us to bring them to Him in faith, just like Job did. He may not always give us the “why,” but He always offers us His presence.

And where Job longed for a mediator, we now have one, Jesus Christ, who stands between us and God, not with condemnation but with mercy and grace.

Key Takeaway: 

Even in our deepest sorrow, when life feels unfair and God seems silent, we are still seen, still loved, and still invited to bring our hard questions to Him. Like Job, we may not get all the answers, but we can anchor our hearts in the character of God who is just, compassionate, and always present. 

Heavenly Father,

I want to be the type of friend who is like a cold stream on a hot day. Help me to be that loyal, faithful friend who gives a listening ear instead of judgmental lips. Help me to be a humble friend who doesn’t jump to conclusions. When I feel burdened and life feels heavy help me to remember that your thoughts are above my thoughts and your ways above my ways. Help me to keep our line of communication open and our relationship strong. I’m grateful that we can come boldly unto the throne of grace so we can obtain mercy and find grace to help in our time of need. Lord, I’m so thankful that by faith we can have peace with you through our Lord Jesus Christ and He is our mediator. Thank you for having compassion on us and being the ultimate source of righteousness. Help us to take what we’re reading and learning from the book of Job and apply it to how we live our own lives. 

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen 

The Study of Job: Post One

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NOTE * As we continue reading the Bible chronologically, we now pause the story of Genesis and step into the book of Job. Job lived long before Abraham and his story gives us an early and powerful look into faith under fire. It’s a book of raw questions, deep suffering, and unwavering trust. It’s a reminder that God is still near even when everything else falls apart. We’ll return to Genesis after completing the book of Job. *

Devotional Format: I Do – We Do – You Do

Focus: Job 1-5 

Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.

This week’s devotion includes:

Chapter 1 – When the Faithful Suffer 

Chapter 2 – The Unseen Spiritual Battle, Suffering, and the Ministry of Presence

Chapter 3 – When Grief Speaks 

Chapter 4 – Judging the Suffering: What Eliphaz Got Wrong

Chapter 5 – Misapplied Truth: The Danger of Jumping to Conclusions

(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be done in one day or broken up over several days.)

Bible Memory:

Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?

Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.

This Week’s Memory Verse — Romans 12:15 (KJV)

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

I Do – Watch Me Study

Job Chapter 1 

When the Faithful Suffer 

(Read Job Chapter 1 First)

This chapter opens with a glowing description of Job. He is described as perfect and upright. These words don’t mean sinless, but show us that he was morally innocent, had integrity, feared God, and turned away from evil. Job wasn’t a loud or flashy man, he was quiet and faithful.

He had a large, thriving family and many possessions. He was “the greatest of all the men of the east.” But what stood out most to me was his dedication to God and his children. Job regularly offered burnt sacrifices for his children just in case they had sinned during their feasting.

Then we’re taken into a heavenly scene: the sons of God (likely angels) appear before the Lord and Satan is there, too. When God points out Job’s faithfulness, Satan accuses him. “Job only fears You because You’ve blessed him,” he says. “Take it all away, and he’ll curse You to Your face.”

God permits Satan to test Job. Everything Job owns can be touched, but not Job himself.

Why would God allow this? We’re not given a full answer yet, but we’re invited to wrestle with it. One truth is clear to me…God trusted Job’s heart. He knew Job’s faith wasn’t because he was blessed but because of his relationship with God. 

One day the losses begin. Livestock, servants, and finally his children are all taken away from him. One messenger after another brings devastating news. It reminded me of waves crashing over Job with no time to catch his breath.

And yet… what does Job do?

“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped…” (Job 1:20)

He grieves. And he worships. He says:

“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return… the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

That line pierces me. Job recognizes everything he had was a gift, not something he earned. And even in devastation, he doesn’t blame God. He worships Him.

I imagine Job’s heart was absolutely shattered. And I believe God’s heart hurt for him, too. This chapter isn’t just about proving Satan wrong. It’s for us. It’s to show what deep faith looks like when everything else is stripped away.

It makes me ask this question – When life hurts, will I curse or bless? Will I pull away from God or fall at His feet in worship?

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Job Chapter 2 

The Unseen Spiritual Battle, Suffering, and the Ministry of Presence

(Read Job Chapter 2 First) 

As I studied Job 2, I imagined a courtroom or throne room scene where the sons of God and even Satan had to present themselves before God. It gave me chills thinking that even rebellious, fallen beings like Satan must report to God. This reminds me that God is sovereign over all, including the enemy. Satan cannot act outside of God’s permission. He’s on a leash.

God begins the conversation with Satan and points out Job’s unwavering integrity despite his immense suffering. And then we read something sobering:

“…although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3)

This verse makes it clear God is the one allowing Job’s suffering, not because of punishment, but for purposes Job doesn’t understand. Satan suggests, “Touch his bone and flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” (v. 5) and God says:

“Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” (v. 6)

This is complex but important: Satan could not touch Job until God allowed it. God is sovereign even over suffering. It’s Satan who strikes Job in verse 7, but only within God’s limits. That brings both a sobering and comforting truth: God is always in control. 

Verse 8 stopped me in my tracks:

“And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.”

Job sat in ashes, scraping his sores with broken pottery. He didn’t complain. He just… scraped. This is heart-wrenching.

In the Bible, ashes symbolize grief, loss, humiliation, and mourning. Job was emotionally, spiritually, and physically devastated and yet, he did not sin with his lips.

Then comes his wife’s reaction:

“Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.”

But Job responds with composure:

“Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10)

Still, he did not sin with his lips. His pain was real and he must have been confused, but his integrity remained.

What happens next deeply convicted me:

Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, set out together when they heard of his suffering. Their initial intentions were good. They didn’t just send a message. They didn’t “like” a sad status. They went. They came to mourn with him and comfort him. 

When they saw him from afar, they didn’t even recognize him. Their response was emotional and cultural:

• They wept loudly

• They tore their clothes

• They threw dust on their heads

• And then, they simply sat with him for seven days…

“…and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.” (Job 2:13)

What an example of the ministry of presence.

Let’s look at how scripture reinforces this:

  • Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow…”

  • Romans 12:15 

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

  • 2 Corinthians 7:6 

“Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”

Quotes That Echo This Truth:

  • Henri Nouwen

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who… simply were there.”

  • C.S. Lewis

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’”

  • Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

“The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.”

My Takeaway

This chapter reminds me that I don’t want to be a shallow friend. I want to show up. Grief isn’t always about words. Sometimes, it’s about just being there and sitting with someone in the ashes of their sorrow. That’s what Job’s friends did at first, and it’s a model of empathy I want to follow.

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We Do – Let’s Study Together

Job Chapter 3 

When Grief Speaks 

(Read Job Chapter 3 First) 

Now Job finally speaks. After seven days of silence and grief, his sorrow spills out in raw, honest words. He doesn’t curse God, but he curses the day he was born. And as we read his cry, it feels like we’re sitting beside him, hearing the sound of deep suffering.

He says, “Let the day perish wherein I was born” (v. 3). He wishes he had never existed. That might sound extreme unless you’ve ever been so overwhelmed that even waking up felt heavy. Job is not being dramatic. He’s heart broken. 

Job asks questions we’ve maybe asked in our own suffering:

• Why was I even born? (v. 11)

• Why did I live just to experience this pain? (v. 16)

• Why is light given to those who are in misery? (v. 23)

He even imagines death as a peaceful place where the tired finally rest, where the hurting are quieted, where the oppressor can’t reach anymore (vv. 17–19). That stood out to me: Job doesn’t want death because he hates life. He longs for rest. He longs for peace.

Have you ever felt that?

We don’t often talk about these places of the soul, but the Bible does. That tells me that God understands our process of grief or confusion. He put Job’s lament in His holy Word because He meets us there.

Let’s reflect together:

Journal or Discussion Prompts:

•When have you felt like Job? Like your heart was so heavy you didn’t have words for it?

•What do Job’s words teach us about how to process grief and pain with God?

•Do you ever feel like you have to hide your hard emotions from God? Why or why not?

•How does Job’s honesty with God change the way we view “strong” faith?

In verse 25, Job says something especially honest:

“For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”

That one hit deep. Have you ever feared something happening and then it did? Maybe you’ve been waiting for the other shoe to drop, trying to protect yourself from the “what ifs.” Job reminds us that even those who love and fear the Lord still experience suffering. But God is not gone. He is still with us in the valley.

Reflection:

•What fear have you been carrying that you need to bring into God’s light?

•How can you walk with someone else who is hurting, like Job’s friends did (even if imperfectly)?

•What does this chapter reveal about the importance of showing up for others in their grief, not with answers but just with presence?

Job chapter 3 is a picture of honest grief. It teaches us that lament is not weakness, it’s a way of processing deep pain. Job is still turning to God in faith. He hasn’t walked away. He’s just crying out. And sometimes, that’s the only thing we can do.

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Job Chapter 4 

Judging the Suffering: What Eliphaz Got Wrong

(Read Job Chapter 4 First) 

Now we see Job’s first friend, Eliphaz, speak up.

He starts gently enough by asking permission to speak, but his words soon shift from sympathetic to sharp. Eliphaz reminds Job that he has encouraged many people in the past. He says, “You’ve strengthened weak hands, lifted up those who were falling, and offered wise words to others. But now that trouble has come to you… you’re overwhelmed.”

Then Eliphaz challenges Job’s own beliefs:

“Isn’t your fear of God your confidence? Isn’t your hope based on your righteousness?” (Job 4:6, paraphrased)

And then comes the hard part:

Eliphaz claims that no one is ever destroyed without cause. He suggests that people only suffer when they’ve done something to deserve it. He believes that suffering equals sin and that only the wicked reap sorrow.

At first, it sounds reasonable. After all, the Bible does say we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Sin does bring consequences (Proverbs 13:21). But Eliphaz is missing a deeper spiritual reality.

Eliphaz is wrong in assuming that all pain comes from wrongdoing. He doesn’t know what we as readers know from chapters 1 and 2; That Job’s suffering wasn’t because of sin but because of a greater purpose in the unseen spiritual realm.

God wasn’t punishing Job. He was proving Job’s integrity, strengthening his faith, and displaying His glory.

This teaches us something critical: Not all suffering is punishment.

Yes, there are consequences for sin. No doubt that’s real.

But there’s another truth just as real: Sometimes we suffer for righteousness’ sake. Sometimes the testing of our faith is allowed by God for purposes we cannot yet see.

Let’s look at some scripture on that: 

  1. 1 Peter 3:14 (KJV) 

 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

2. Job 1:8–12 (KJV)

Job suffers not because he sinned, but because God allowed a test of his faith, saying:

   …there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil…

3. James 1:2–4 (KJV)

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

4. Romans 8:28 (KJV)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So what do we learn from Eliphaz?

Let’s not be quick to play the judge in someone else’s suffering.

Let’s not assume their hardship is the result of sin or disobedience.

Let’s not speak harsh words when someone needs gentle presence.

Instead, let’s offer prayer and grace.

Let’s be a true friend who sits beside someone in sorrow. 

Later in chapter 4, Eliphaz tells Job a “secret” he claims came from a spirit in the night. He says:

Shall mortal man be more just than God? Shall a man be more pure than his maker? (Job 4:17)

While that statement is technically true (no one is more righteous than God), Eliphaz uses it to insult Job. He implies that Job is arrogant for thinking he doesn’t deserve this suffering and that humans are basically so fragile and lowly and they perish forever without any regarding it. 

But Eliphaz misses something big again: God does care. Deeply. He’s not dismissive of us. We are made in His image. He calls us His children.

Matthew 10:29–31 proves this… “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

And our influence doesn’t die with us. Eliphaz says when a man dies, “his wisdom perishes,” but we know that’s not true either because a godly life leaves a legacy that touches generations.

Reflection Questions:

•Have you ever assumed someone was suffering because of something they did wrong?

•When a friend is hurting, do you tend to give advice or simply be present?

•Have you ever misjudged a situation without knowing the full story?

Let’s take this as a reminder to be the kind of friend who offers compassion before correction, and prayer before opinions.

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You Do – Apply It Personally 

Job Chapter 5 – Misapplied Truth: The Danger of Jumping to Conclusions

Now it’s your turn.

Read through Job Chapter 5 and take some time to think about and journal through the questions below. Ask the Holy Spirit to help show you how to apply them personally to your life.

Summary of Job 5:

In this chapter, Eliphaz continues to speak to Job, assuming that Job’s suffering is the result of hidden sin. He uses a mix of poetic praise for God’s power and harsh assumptions about Job’s guilt. Eliphaz suggests that God disciplines those He loves, which is true in the right context, but wrongly applies it to Job. His words reveal a limited view of suffering and offer both comfort and judgment in the same breath.

It reminds us that even well-meaning people can misapply truth if they don’t understand our full story.

Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever been misunderstood while going through something          hard?

How did it feel to receive advice that didn’t consider your heart or pain?

2. Have you ever found yourself trying to “fix” someone else’s pain with quick answers or assumptions?

How can we offer comfort without jumping to judgment?

3. In verses 8–16, Eliphaz gives a beautiful description of God’s power, provision, and justice.

Even if his motivation was wrong, what truths about God can you still hold onto?

Example: Verse 13 says, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness…Meaning God sees through human plotting and brings justice in His own way. 

 (1 Cor. 3:19 echoes this truth).

4. Verse 17 talks about God’s correction and discipline.

Can you think of a time when God used hardship to teach or strengthen you?

What’s the difference between punishment and loving discipline?

Eliphaz says, “Happy is the man whom God correcteth,” but in Job’s case, it wasn’t correction. It was a test. God’s discipline comes from love. 

5. Eliphaz assumes that peace, prosperity, and long life are always signs of righteousness.

Do you ever feel tempted to believe that following God should always result in an easy life?

What does the Bible actually say about suffering and growth?

Here are some verses to consider: 

  • Romans 5:3–5
  • James 1:2–4
  • 1 Peter 5:10
  • Isaiah 43:2
  • Psalm 34:18–19
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17
  • Genesis 50:20
  • Philippians 3:10
  • 1 Peter 2:21

6. In verse 1, Eliphaz says, “Call now, if there be any that will answer thee…”

What do you think that says about his attitude toward Job?

I believe it was a sarcastic way of saying, “You’re too far gone and no one will listen to you.” Harsh words when Job needed a friend.

7. In verses 3–5, Eliphaz gives an example of seeing a foolish man thrive and then lose everything. 

I think he’s implying that Job is that foolish man. But he’s wrong, and it shows how dangerous it is to assume someone’s pain means they’re being punished.

After You Reflect:

Eliphaz spoke without compassion. He assumed that Job’s suffering was punishment for sin, and though some of his theology sounded good, it was misapplied. 

But even in his misguided assumptions, we can still learn:

God does bring growth through hardship.

He does rescue the poor, frustrate the wicked, and restore the broken.

But not always on our timeline. 

And not always for the reasons we assume.

God’s comfort often comes not in the removal of pain, but in His presence through it.

So as you consider Job 5, let this be your reminder:

Don’t be too quick to explain someone’s pain. Be quick to sit with them in it. And trust that God knows the whole story even when we don’t.

Key Takeaway: 

Even well-meaning people can say the wrong things when they don’t understand our full story. Eliphaz tried to apply truth without compassion and assumed Job’s suffering was punishment. But Scripture reminds us that not all hardship is the result of sin. God is near in our pain, growing us through it, and working in ways we cannot see. We’re called to trust even when we don’t understand and to offer others grace, not judgment, in their suffering.

Heavenly Father,

We know scripture tell us to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep. Please help us to have more of your heart and compassion for others. Help us to slow down and be present with the people you put in our paths. Thank you for teaching us through Job’s story of what deep faith looks like in blessings and in testing. God, you are sovereign over all and in control of everything and we trust you. Help us not to judge others who are suffering, but offer our prayer and presence instead. Thank you for being near us always and for growing us in times of pain.  

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen