A PASTOR facing a series of challenges—a dying wife, raising an infant son and running a thriving ministry was asked, “How do you cope?”
“While God is the warehouse, I consider myself a warehouseman. I handle a burden long enough to unload. I wheel my burden to God and leave it there,” he replied.
You’ll agree that such wisdom does not come from books. It comes from walking with God.
The Narrative
IN THE LAND OF UZ lived a man by the name of Job. His character was spotless, and his integrity was unquestioned. He was also wealthy.
One day, angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan was with them. And God asked Satan if he has seen his servant Job.
He is unlike any other person on earth—he so believes in Me that he seeks, in all things, to honour Me and deliberately avoids evil in all his affairs. (Job 1:8)
“Job believes in You because he is protected,” said the accuser. Strike his possessions, and he will curse You.
Certain wisdom does not come from books
Okay, you can touch his possessions but not his life.
From this point on, Job found things challenging. He lost all his possessions and his children.
And when he heard of the calamities, Job tore his robe, shaved his head and fell to the ground. He sprawled in the dirt to worship. (Job 1:1-20)
A Man of Courage
HE FEARED GOD. Job confronted evil in the hearts of his children by praying for them.
The height of courage is staying the course when everyone has abandoned you—and that was what Job did.
When his wife had nothing encouraging to say to him, he rebuked her. (Job 2:9-10)
A Man of Transformation
FOR JOB to make a change in his walk with God, there had to be a crystallization of discomfort.
Before this incident, Job never had an encounter with God. He obeyed God, but his relationship was distant.
However, with the condemnation from friends, the absence and presence of God, and the tragedies, Job became a different man.
He differed from his friends’ beliefs—there was a paradigm shift in his reasoning—and he stopped looking at things the way he saw them before the tragedies.
A Man of Resilience
HE DID NOT COMPARE himself to anyone. Job saw this situation as a transformation.
He built self-awareness, looking at his motivations and actions. (Job 6; 7 & 8)
God wants you to continue to examine yourself and ensure that you are always in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5)
A Man of Obedience
HE CREATED POSSIBILITIES by obeying God, and with Him, nothing shall be impossible.
Job discovered that pursuing the truth provides undue possibilities that only God can provide.
And God’s eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love. He’s ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times, he keeps body and soul together. (Psalm 33:18-19)
A Man of Honesty
HE WAS TERRIFIED with having a confrontation, and God appreciated his honesty.
Job cried out to God in his pain and sought answers to his situation.
He moved away from the view that he suffered all because of sin.
Job had no bitterness for his friends. He forgave and prayed for them, and God blessed him. (Job 42:10)
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
WHEN CHAOS CALLED, Job knew that his story was far from over. He understood that there were many things yet to unfold.
To see God change your situation, you need to hold on to His promises and lay your burdens and worries at His feet. (1 Peter 5:7) And as you walk with Him, every other name will fade away.