Hello, my friends.
Most of us, at some point in life ~ especially during long seasons of lockdown, disappointment, or suffering ~ face deep hurts. Job loss, broken relationships, wayward children, sickness, bereavement, or disability can bring stress, anxiety, and even bitterness toward the Lord.
How do we respond when life feels crushing? Do we allow bitterness to take root in our hearts?
The book of Job is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of how to face extreme suffering while trusting God. In a single day, Job lost his livestock, his servants, and all his children. Yet we read:
“Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.” (Job 1:20)
Even when he was later struck with painful boils from head to toe, and his own wife told him to curse God, Job refused to sin with his lips. He grieved deeply, but he did not turn against the Lord.
It’s normal to feel anger and sorrow in hard times. But when that anger turns into deep-rooted bitterness, it creates a barrier between us and God.
The Lord is there to comfort and sustain us. As Isaiah 26:3 promises:
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
We must cast all our cares on Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). If we reject His comfort, we give the devil a foothold.
Bitterness is dangerous. It opens the door for the enemy to make us doubt God’s goodness and sovereignty. Instead, we need a close, daily walk with the Lord — surrendering our whole heart and life to Him in worship.
When we stay steadfast, two wonderful things happen:
- Our trials refine us like gold, making us more useful for God’s glory (Job 23:10).
- Our “light affliction” is working for us an eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Let us remember Job’s words:
“Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21)
No matter what we face, may our hearts always say: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Amen.
God bless you,
Peter