Introductory Considerations
1. I felt trapped. "Was there any way out of my situation?" I was tired and discouraged. People were depending on me but I had nothing more to give to them. When I tried to share my pain some people offered a quick word of comfort but they really did not have the time to really listen. Even those close to me tried to care but they could not really do anything about what I was feeling. Each day I went through the motions but my heart was far from what I was doing. I just wished I could get away from it all. I felt like a phoney - I was a Christian, a minister - there was no way that I should be feeling this way. I should have been rejoicing in the Lord. I was experiencing what is know as burnout and it made my life a living hell, and I times I just wished it had been over.
2. While I wish I could say I woke up one morning and all was well, the battle back to health was long, lonely and hard.
3. Each one of us can share an experience that we would rather forget. At one time or another we have experienced suffering
3. Each of our experiences unique and as individuals we each react differently. The loss of a parent may cause suffering in their children, but each grieves a little differently. Some remain calm, some cry loudly and some may even laugh or joke to try and deal with pain. Some people share the deep anguish they feel openly while others keep it to themselves.
4. The book of Job deals with suffering. So far we have looked at how to help others in their suffering and we have learned how suffering glorifies God, but this evening we look directly at our own suffering and what it does to us.
5. We look at how hard it is to deal with and yet how we may get some insights to deal with our suffering.
6. I see many - whether Christians or not - that deal with suffering in one of two extreme way. Some do nothing but focus on their suffering (all they think of, all they talk about. I’m afraid to ask "How are you?" because the response will be overwhelming.) Others never even show they are suffering or whisper about it. You see they are in pain and ask them "How are you?" and the answer is simply "fine".
7. This evening I don’t suggest we dwell on our suffering but I ask that we also do not deny it .
Teaching
1. First we consider how Job was suffering. As we do, think if you relate to aspects of His suffering. Important because to admit suffering is healthy in that it is first step in seeking relief and it opens us up to God and His comfort.
2. Job is feeling - anguish - a deep pain that takes over his whole being. (Job 7:1-6). vs. 5 - the physical suffering - worms in his scabs. I have a brother-in-law - soft tissue injury - just eats away at him. I can see suffering in his face. Physical pain can be constant and, sharp.
3. We have different thresh-holds. It affects us emotionally etc.. It can cause sleepless nights. Job cannot even escape pain with sleep - always there.
4. Job suffers because he sees no end in sight. A slave or hired man can look forward to the rest which comes with the evening shadows or to the wages that make the work worthwhile, but Job’s suffering has been for months. There is no end in sight, no light at the end of the tunnel.
5. Job feels that there is nothing he can do about his suffering. (Job 9:14-19). God has ordained this for him and God will not listen and who is he to argue before God? It is one thing when the doctor says that we can change our lifestyle overcome an illness or offer medicine, it is another when he says that we must simply endure the pain - eg. arthritis
6. Job 12:4. What adds to our suffering is how others treat us. We have seen already with how Job’s friends tried to help but ended up arguing with Him and Job ended up feeling worse. Seen how people who are deaf and dumb are not thought of as smart, how person dying in hospital is talked about as if they were not there. We look at people who suffer or have certain illnesses differently than we do to healthy people. "Boy, what did they do to deserve that?" We see people who struggle with spiritual matters - unforgiveness, sin, doubt and it is easy to think they are deficient in their faith in comparison to ourselves. When we are suffering we feel like an outsider. A shut-in not only suffers their illness, but the sense of being different, being on the sidelines.
7. Job 19:7. There is no justice. Often we have a strong sense of unfairness. We see others who have lived with no regard for God and they do not suffer. We watch our health and yet we get cancer. Our neighbour eats too much, drinks and smokes - and his health seems perfect. ( Pss 10:2-4)
8. Job 19:21. We feel that God has turned against us. The one in whom we had placed our hope is the very one who has inflicted us. We feel betrayed by God as we feel betrayed by a friend or spouse who forsakes us.
9. Job 29:1-3. Our suffering may be increased by memories of days gone by. We long for our youth again. Lady with alzheimers - I ask if she remembers when she was young and full of vigor. It brings smile to her face when I remind her that she will again be like that when she is in heaven - that she will sore like an eagle. Seen people affected throughout life by holding on to things they had lost - eg. good job - living in the past. We feel we have lost respect and usefulness.
10. Job describes his feelings to us. Job 6:2-3,14, 10:1. Job hated himself, he hated his very life.
11. Have you ever shared the suffering or feelings that Job experienced? Do you feel them right now?
12. If we stop here we may feel that all is lost - there is no hope. I could share with you many Scripture passages that offer hope and explanation. I could remind you of the glory that awaits us in heaven. I could remind you that God in Christ Himself suffered. I could remind you that through our suffering God is glorified.
13. But instead I challenge you to do a few things.
14. First, admit your pain and struggle. Admit that it hurts. Admit it strongly affects you.
15. Share that pain with a trusted friend who understands. - Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Yet often door closed - people not allowed to help you.
16. Unless we allow others to share load, we suffer alone
17. Yet be careful - not put trust in people completely. We saw how Jobs friends disappointed him. Open door a crack and see how people respond. Many have done this with me. If they sense they can trust, they expose more of their pain.
18. But most important share with God. Talk to Him. Even if you want to tell Him He is unfair, go ahead. We read this in Psalms, but read much of this is Job. Many of the things Job said about God were unfair. We already said a few weeks ago that Job was trying to justify himself even if that meant not justifying God
19. We might easily criticize Job for many of the things He said, yet what does God say about what Job had said? (Job 42:7)
20. In the end Job did speak right of God but before he did so he said much that was wrong. God had responded to Job and let him know where he was wrong. When we dialogue God through prayer and through reading and responding to His word, He speaks to us and we gain understanding.
21. Do you feel God has wronged you? Is all fair in your life? Has God ignored your pleas? Tell Him that is how you feel. Don’t let Him go until He either shows you and teaches you or until He gives you peace about your circumstances. Wrestle with Him like Jacob.
22. 1Pet 5:10
