Lessons from the Grief of Job (Part 1)

Colette Fabry, Guest Writer

Today’s Treasure


 
 

Reading the book of Job is a deeply moving experience. His grief feels almost tangible as he endures the loss of everything—his beloved children, livelihood, health, and even his wife’s support. Job responds to his suffering by tearing his clothes, shaving his head, and worshiping God. But as the weight of his trials grows, his strength fails. He curses the day of his birth and speaks of “bitterness of soul,” losing hope, and struggling to see God. His friends were meant to comfort him, but only added to his pain with their harsh and wrong counsel.

Job wrestles to maintain his faith by reminding himself of truth, “Shall we receive only good and not calamity from the hand of God?” and “I know that my redeemer lives.” Yet, confusion overwhelms him. His friends' accusations lead him to believe that God might be angry with him. His grief attacks his faith through stages—shock, despair, questioning God’s presence, depression, and deep loneliness. 

Desperate for strength, Job seeks it from both his friends and God. He remains determined to use his words wisely, saying, “My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.” He tries to make sense of his suffering, reflecting on his past faithfulness and questioning whether God truly sees him. He even wonders if hidden pride or sin might be the cause of his affliction.

I can’t help but wonder how different Job’s experience might have been if someone had offered him gentle, comforting words:

“Job, don’t speak. Stay quiet. Don’t waste your energy correcting your friends or defending yourself. God will not forsake you, even though this is awful and you feel abandoned. We don’t know why God allowed this, but for now, just rest.”

As readers, it is almost too painful to read Job’s words of anguish. It feels unfair that no one comforted him and told him to rest and be still, that no one prayed with him and for him. 

What Job did not know, and what we as readers understand, is that God had a purpose for his trial. He was unaware of the heavenly conversation between God and Satan. God had described Job as “blameless and upright,” unlike anyone else on earth. Satan, however, argued that if God removed His hedge of protection, Job would “curse God to His face.”

But Job did not. When God finally spoke, He asked Job a series of questions, revealing His divine power and wisdom. Faced with God’s majesty, Job was left speechless. Twice, he covered his mouth, realizing his limited understanding. When he finally spoke, his words revealed humility and repentance:

I know that thou canst do everything and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore, have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Whereby I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Job 42:1-6

He humbly and rightly acknowledged that God is God and that He alone knows all things. His words were a surrender to God's sovereignty. These were the words God was waiting for. Despite Satan’s challenge, Job did not curse God, his words blessed Him. Twice, God affirmed that Job had “spoken rightly” about Him. When Job prayed for his friends, who had sinned by speaking wrongly of God, his captivity ended. God restored him, blessing his later days even more than his former ones.

LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT

The truth is, we do not fully understand why God allows grief into our lives. But we do know this: God is always faithful to those who are His. We live in a fallen world, engaged in a battle between righteousness and evil. Yet, God’s promises remain true. He never forsook Job, and He will never forsake us. In every trial, He has a plan and a purpose, using our struggles to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him.

PRAYER

Father, be near to the hurting today. Help them to know You as Deliverer & Restorer.  Give them the grace to surrender to Your perfecting work and the strength to endure their trial.