FINDING JOY IN THE SUFFERING
Good Morning and Happy Tuesday! Excited about today and this week! The last several days have been a little bit of a struggle. Some how between a brain tumor, radiation, chemotherapy and the 10 pills I swallow every day, I have not been feeling my best. I start each day pretty well and by early afternoon I am ready to get back in bed. I have honestly never in my life operated that way. I have never been a super organized person, but I have always been a man with a lot going on every day! That would not be the case currently. But,,,, it’s a big week and I am excited.
My daughter who is an amazing young woman is getting married Friday! She is spending the night tonight and taking me to my radiation appointment tomorrow. My boys will get here Wednesday and Thursday, Clint and Joy, Mason’s in-laws, who I love will be here Thursday. Friday is going to be a special day, and I am so grateful that I am here and get to be a part of it.
Let me share a quick thought that I hope might be encouraging to you. For the last 10+ years I have read through the Bible each year using YouVersion. It is such a great tool and helpful resource to help people stay on track reading the Bible. The other side of scripture is I have honestly studied the Bible since I was a child. I grew up in church, use to compete in Bible Bowls in elementary and was very good. Studied Bible in college and have many many bible credits. My belief is the Bible can be an incredible resource for people and can also become a huge roadblock.
Years ago I shifted the way I read the Bible each day. Today it starts first with time for me to sit with God. To listen to how he is moving in the world and in my life. The Bible became very personal as it is how I have stayed more connected and in relationship with God as my Father.
The story of Job is fascinating, beautiful, tragic and parts of it are hard to fully understand. One area for me that has been so helpful is what I see in Job and how I personally relate to it!
Job is experiencing an amazing life. He is being an amazing husband and father, very faithful to God. Then his entire life starts to fall apart. He experiences tragic loss and ultimately the death of his children. He basically looses everything and stays faithful. His wife takes a little different approach and here are a few verses I have found fascinating and very helpful!
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”He replied, “You are thinking like a foolish women. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:9-10
There is so much in this story, but this is one little area that has been very helpful over the years for me. We live in a broken world. This brokenness happens in many many different ways. Illness, disease, death, success, failure, life, joy, peace, depression, success and struggles. Being in relationship with God, in no way means your life will be perfect and without any challenges.
There are some church beliefs and models that I find very unhealthy. One of those is this idea that if you have faith you will only experience, blessing, money, life and good things. In my humble opinion, that is a very human belief that is way off and is not consitient with scripture. The greatest model I believe we have of a life lived that made a huge impact is Jesus!!!
Little sidebar idea here. I’m not trying to convince anyone of my exact belief in Jesus. Most people agree he was a man that existed in some capacity. So you can each choose how you view the ultimate reality of who he was but don’t miss the beauty and value of how this man lived his life so well. He absolutely suffered and went through so many hard experiences. He also never seemed to loose, question his love and relationship with God and that then greatly impacted how he loved others.
His suffering and ultimate death seemed to build and intensify his relationship with God. This is also what I see in the story of Job. He struggled with some stuff and his loss and pain caused him to question God, but ultimately he stepped back into his faith and trust in God. I want to live in this truth and encourage others to do the same.
I have a brain tumor that is going to end my life. The norm is 6-18 months. I don’t like that, don’t want that and also know it is how life often goes. Not for a second does it make me question God’s love for me! The days I struggle, and they happen, I lean into God. He absolutely helps me get through those tough moments and days. He also reminds me everyday, people need to know they are loved and their lives matter!!!!
So,,,,,,,, some of you have some very real struggles and pain! I hate that for you and wish I could fix it, but I can’t. I can, encourage, listen and love people. I need that from others, and I want to do that for others. You matter, your life matters and you are loved and of great value. I have not always believed that about you or myself, but I absolutely do believe that today. Find some simple ways to experience this truth.
You matter, your life matters and you bring, add value to the world. Experience God’s love and then find a small way each day to begin to share that love with someone. I can’t imagine how Job’s wife felt and how differently she experienced God on the back side of her story. We all struggle, but it is in the struggle we can grow and find life!
Have a beautiful day! You are loved and of great value!
Peace,