True strength is keeping everything together when everyone expects you to fall apart. – Unknown
There will be times in your life where you’re challenged, where nothing seems to be going right, where tragedy strikes, and you’re left to pick up the pieces. After Job lost all his riches and even his children, he struggled to come to terms with dealing with his own tragedy. Since trouble had come to his own house, he wanted to find fault with himself. Even his friends came up with the conclusion that Job suffered because he had sinned.
Job was the encourager, the motivator and the comforter of others who had gone through difficult times; it was most difficult for him to hear the words of compassion spoken by his friends towards him. He thought it better if he had died even at birth, he questioned, “Why is light given to those in misery to those who long for death who search for it more than hidden treasure” (Job 3:20–21). When deep suffering threatens the foundations of faith, as was the case with Job, an attack on our faith can destroy us unless we are firmly rooted in God’s truth. The struggle of faith is a personal one. We must test the mettle of our faith in God against uncontrollable forces and win our individual victories.
There will be times when family and friends may be taken from us and we must stand alone.
Is it not true of our own lives, we visit the sick, give condolences, offer words of encouragement, never really expecting to be the ones who will someday need to be comforted and supported in a similar way? When trouble comes our way, feelings of guilt begin to surface; when even death may seem like a good idea. During difficult times we must hold on to our faith in Jesus. Faith comes through hearing the Word of God. Stand strong and the Lord with strengthen you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed. Job 4:3–5
Written by Dr Charisse le Roux
