Lessons on Suffering from the Book of Job

Summary

The book of Job seeks to correct our misunderstandings around why we experience suffering in our lives. Many voices tell us that suffering comes to those who deserve it and that you can insulate yourself from suffering by doing good and abstaining from evil. While Job never hears the answer “why,” we still learn many valuable lessons that give us comfort in suffering and allow us to be a comfort to those who are suffering.

Key Takeaways

• God’s role in our suffering – God permits, regulates, and restricts suffering in the lives of those he loves based on his intimate knowledge of us. (Job 1:21, 2:10)
• Our role with the suffering – Our role as Christians in the lives of the suffering is to show up with humility, wisdom from above, and discernment from the Spirit.
• The role of suffering in our lives – God intends, not that we would know the “Why” of suffering, but that we would see and know the person of God! (Job 42:5)

Discussing and Applying the Sermon

• Push through your discomfort & uneasiness and go towards the suffering – Who around you is experiencing suffering? How can you move toward them to be a source of comfort? Even something so small as your presence and a kind, empathetic word (“I’m so sorry. That must be incredibly painful.”) can give someone the reassurance that God is with them and they are not alone. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
• Don’t keep your suffering to yourself! – Are you experiencing suffering right now? Who will you let in to your present circumstance so that they can be a source of comfort to you? Something as simple as, “please pray for me,” or “I need help, but I don’t know what I need,” is enough to begin a conversation and let others know where you are. (Galatians 6:2)
• How have you experienced suffering, present or past? How have seasons of pain and trial shown you more clearly God’s beauty, love, and care for you? Pray that you would see and know the person of God because of your suffering. (Psalm 119:71, 1 Peter 5:10)