Human Response 626: Why was I Born just to Suffer

Job 3:20-21 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasure.

We see the depths of Job’s misery and suffering, and we understand his response of questioning “Why?” Asking Why is the first natural response to suffering and pain. His first response to the loss of family and wealth in 1:21 was “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” But after the devil’s second attempt, on his bodily health, his response was “Why me?” And he wished he was never born.

We mistakenly think that we can bear bad things better if we knew the reason why. But God doesn’t tell us, just like He never told Job what was going on behind the scenes with the Satan. He wants us to trust Him, that He knows what He is doing and that there is a reason and a purpose in His hands. And we know we can trust Him to be good to us and do what is right because of the Gospel. We believe the Gospel and so we know He loves us and He is working it all out for good.

In the end, God worked a blessing in his life after Job learned the lesson: God is God and I’m not; God is good and I’m not; repent and believe the Gospel. He never got his “why question” answered, but he did get God. And that’s all he needed.