Accepting Adversity?

Can suffering be a calling? This is certainly a question I have asked many times in my life after going through traumatic periods. There is no doubt that these trials in my life changed me. It set before me a basic question of how much do I trust that God is at work in the pain of a trial? As Paul challenged in Philippians 4:11-12, can we truly be content in all circumstances? Trials can be a calling to go deeper with God, to forego our own strength in favor of God’s strength: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philipians 4:13, NASB).”

The opening of the book of Job tells us, there was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil (Job 1:1, NASB).” It’s interesting that these are similar traits that God identified in Noah. A few verses later, the passage mentions: Job was prosperous and continually sought to do what was right in the eyes of God (Job 1:5). It is this prosperity that sets up Job’s trials.

Satan questions Job’s loyalty to God, claiming it’s vested in his earthly prosperity, and arguing that Job would curse God if he lost all he had (Job 1:9-11). God allows Job to lose everything he has: “Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.’ So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD (Job 1:12).” The very nature of this act is to challenge Satan on his assertion that Job’s faith in God is dependent on his prosperity. After Job loses everything, he still remains faithful. “Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God (Job 1:22, NASB).”

Satan then argues that if Job’s “bone and flesh” is affected, he will curse God (Job 2:5). Covered with boils from “the sole of his foot to the crown of his head (7). Job laments his circumstances. He endures preaching by his friends who grill him to admit what sins he committed to bring such calamity on himself. Job expressed what his calamity taught him in Job 42:1-6:

Then Job answered the LORD and said, “I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

There is a critical moment of decision in the story of Job. After losing all his possessions, and seeing his health suffer, his wife presented him with a question: “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die (Job 2:9, NASB)!” This is the moment of truth for Job and His faith in God. “But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips (Job 2:10).”

That last sentence is notable. After all the trauma he suffered, he refused to “sin with his lips.” He did not curse God. He was determined from that point on to adhere to God, despite what others said to him. We may question God’s call on our life, particularly as we go through trials. Through it all we should accept what he brings into our life, whether it’s a call to go through adversity, follow Him, or go to some far off place. Our faith should remain in God, not in our own understanding of the way things should be. We must trust Him and His purpose for our life.

© 2024, Chris G. Thelen

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10, NASB

Answering the Call

This post is part of the “Answering the Call” series. Join me each Tuesday morning as we explore the moment of decision for so many people in the Bible.