An accident victim was just beginning to regain consciousness. Groaning with pain, throughout his entire body, someone yelled, “He is waking up!” Looking up, through bloodshot eyes, he could only see a man standing over him in white clothes, looking down over him. The man in white clothes said, “Don’t move. You’re in a hospital. You’ve been in a terrible accident. You’ve lost a lot of blood. You’re lucky to be alive. Tests show you still have a high concentration of drugs and alcohol in your blood. Can you tell us what you have taken? Our records show that you have been here several times recently. You came in covered in your own blood.” Pleading, the victim said, “Doctor, please can you help me?” The man said, “Until you stop this self-destructive behavior, there’s not much I can do for you.” The victim pleaded, “Please help me, I’ll try anything.” The doctor shook his head and said, “There is one thing that might help you turn your life around. I’m going to write you a prescription for more pain and suffering. Then maybe you will finally see that you need the blood of Christ.”
Isn’t that what the Great Physician recommended for Job, more pain and suffering? In the Bible, Job was exposed to great pain and suffering. Yet, through no fault of his own, Job lost everything; his children, wealth, his health and his good name. For Job, the greatest trial was not the pain or suffering or the loss; it was not being able to understand why God allowed his suffering. Job loved God, but those who love God are not exempt from troubles. Our pain and suffering can lead us to rediscover God. This life, with all its pain and suffering, is not our final destiny. God didn’t offer Job an answer to his suffering. Instead, he drove home the point that it is better to know God, than to know all the answers. If we always knew why we were suffering, our faith wouldn’t have any room to grow. Any person, who is committed to God, should expect Satan’s attack. Remember, Satan who hates God, also hates God’s people. Suffering allows us to trust God for who he is, not what he does. The addict above, must remember, life is not given merely for happiness, personal fulfillment or good health, but for us to serve and honor God. So I told the addict what he needed, “Jesus.” “Job himself says; though he slay me, yet I will trust him.” Job 13:5
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