What is your perspective when you suffer?

The book of Job is one place out of many in the Scriptures that we turn to that helps us get a proper perspective on why suffering and evil exist in this world. Job himself suffered and didn’t totally understand why. Three of Job’s friends give counsel to him and offer some interesting observations and conclusions regarding Job's suffering. One of Job’s friends, Zophar, says to Job that the triumph of the wicked is short (20:5) and that they know no quiet and their prosperity doesn’t endure (20:20-21). Job responds to these and other false charges by saying that the wicked actually spend their days in prosperity and boldly say to God “depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of your ways (21:13-14).” All the while Job defends his innocence (Job 1:22, 2:10). Many godly people have tried to reason out why it seems that the wicked always seem to succeed and the righteous always seem to suffer. This has always been a stumbling block to good men. Some have called this dynamic a perplexity about prosperity.

What motivates the actions of the wicked? May I suggest that they live without God and yet in their minds continue to prosper. They conclude that they have no need for Jehovah and ask themselves why should we serve Him? Why pray? Why put any pressure on Him for anything he can do for me? What can He do for me that I already am doing for myself? This attitude rejects our dependency on Him and is motivated by a spirit of a materialistic view of life versus actions motivated by a spiritual mindset.

What’s even more ironic is that many materialistic people today consider themselves spiritual people. As with anything we need to define our terms to make sure we aren’t missing the mark with God. A person who is devoted to nature, music, or a simple lifestyle (I.e., anyone who is “true to himself”) are considered to be “spiritual” in some circles. In contrast, true spirituality is a system of values with God at the center (Matt 6:33).

Materialism and Spirituality are at odds with each other. Each one of us make choices that determine our relationship with God. Are we more materialistic or more spiritual with our thoughts and actions? A worldly person measures everything by what men hold to be wise, therefore, true spirituality is foolish to him. The worldly person trusts in himself and seeks glory for himself. The spiritual person trusts God and seeks glory for God. Are we looking at events through the microscope of time or with the telescope of eternity?

Coming to terms with true spirituality means coming to terms with God. This approach requires humility. Denying oneself is one of the most critical factors in Christianity. At the end of Job, God asks him “where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding” (38:4). God proceeds to ask Job similar questions relating to the oceans, light, constellations, clouds, animals, etc. All that Job can say in the end is “I will ask You, and You instruct me … Therefore I retract, and I repent” (42:4-6).

A frequent question that worldly people have, and spiritual people too, is why is their suffering in the world? The book of Job tells us in bold print that the Bible does not supply the finally answer. Yet, that is the Biblical answer. At the end of Job it was not for him to know where light dwells (38:19), or how He makes the birds fly (39:26-27). I.e., it is not for Job to have a satisfactory answer to everything that God is behind. The suffering that Job went through was to get a glimpse of the larger picture. The larger picture is that we need God. Suffering can be a reminder of that fact. Whenever I experience suffering, me personally or when I see it in the world, it reminds me of my dependence on God. It is a stark reminder of what life is like without God and I can’t have any sense of joy or meaning apart from God. To a worldly person this perspective is foolish. To a spiritually minded person this is our hope (Job 28:28).

By Jeff Carr