Everything is a test
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. ~ Job 1:1
When I was young, growing up in church, there was a lot of talk about Job. From the conversations I overheard, it seemed like the message was this: God brought all kinds of trouble into Job’s life, and Job just had to take it without complaining. That idea never sat right with me, but I didn’t know enough to question it.
Later, as I read the book of Job for myself, I discovered something much deeper, and far more hopeful. Yes, Job went through intense suffering, but God was not the one causing harm. It was Satan who brought destruction, loss, and pain into Job’s life, but only with God’s permission. And yes, Job did grieve. He did question. He did wrestle with God through it all and that’s where we see the beauty of his faith.
Job was tested on every front, his wealth, his children, his health, and his relationships. He didn’t pretend nothing was wrong. He mourned. He questioned. But at the end of the day, he did not curse God or abandon his faith. And that’s what made him righteous. He passed the test, not because he was perfect, but because he clung to God even in the darkness.
Job’s story is ancient, but his pain feels extremely modern. We may not have herds of camels and oxen to lose, but we do lose jobs, finances, relationships, and even loved ones. We may not sit in ashes scraping our wounds with broken pottery, but we do face deep emotional pain, sickness, anxiety, and fear.
Everything we go through, every struggle, every hardship, every heartbreak, and even every success is a test of our faith. Not a cruel trick, but a refining fire. Will we turn to God or turn away from Him? Will we trust His character when we can’t see His hand? God is not the cause of suffering, it is a result of the curse this world is under because of sin. But He does use the situations we face to show us how deeply He loves us, walking with us through the to victory.
Here are some ways you can turn to God when going through the pains of life:
- Be honest with God. Job was! You don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you’re not. God honors real, raw faith.
- Keep showing up. Even in the pain, go to God in prayer. Keep reading His Word. Keep worshiping.
- Don’t isolate. Invite godly people into your process. Job had friends, even though they didn’t always say the right thing. You need community too.
- Remember who’s in control. The enemy may strike, but he doesn’t have the final say. When you turn your cares over to Him, He will bring a good result every time.
- Ask the right question. Instead of “Why me?” try asking, “What can I learn from this?” or “How can I glorify God through this and show me the way through it?”
Today I want to encourage you if you’re in a season of hardship, don’t give up. Don’t believe the lie that God is punishing you or has forgotten you. He sees you, He’s with you, and He’s refining something beautiful in you. Like Job, your faith is being tested, but the goal isn’t to destroy you. It’s to prove the strength of what’s already inside you. It’s to show the world that no matter what the enemy tries to take, you will still bless the name of the Lord and press through to victory. This life will throw you into trials, but you have a God who walks with you through every fire. You are not alone and you are being prepared for something far greater than you can see right now.
Today’s Scripture reading: Job 1:1-5
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him.
3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.
4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.
Journal Prompt:
- What trial or hardship am I currently facing that feels like a test of my faith?
- How can I choose today to respond like Job, with honesty, but also with trust?
The Daily Dose 