Sometimes resolution and healing cannot be reached. We believe that all things are possible with God's grace, but the human heart can close itself off from love and forgiveness and choose anger and brokenness.
Several times, when confronted with tragedy, the words of the Lord, “Have you thought about my servant Job?” (1:8, Common English Bible) have strengthened my faith.
As an adult, I understand there are individuals whose identity is defined by their suffering. But I have also learned that suffering, whether physical or emotional, can nourish depression, affect our health, and cause us to withdraw from friends and abandon spiritual hope.
Job is one of five books classified as “wisdom literature,” including Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. Rather than a collection of beautiful songs or wise sayings, Job is a tale of suffering, discovery and faith that overcomes all odds.
A church member asked, “Why do you preachers preach on those terrible Bible stories about suffering and death? We get enough of that stuff every day in the news.”
The simple answer is that we live in a flawed world where hope can be smothered
