Reflect on Job today, let his life inspire you

Job spoke, saying: Is not man's life on earth a chore?

My days are faster than a weaver's shuttle; they end up hopeless. Remember my life is like the wind; I will never see happiness again. Job 7: 1, 6–7

The funny thing is that as soon as the reading is finished during mass, the whole congregation will respond, "Thank God!" Really? Is it worth thanking God for this reading? Do we really want to thank God for an expression of such pain? We sure do!

Job clearly expressed feelings that we all face at times. Talk about a sleepless night. Feelings of loss of hope. Months of misery. Etc. Hopefully these feelings are not on the agenda. But they are real and everyone experiences them at times.

The key to understanding this passage is to look at the entire life of Job. Even though he felt this way, he didn't direct his decisions. He did not give in to final despair; he did not give up; he persevered. And it paid off! He remained faithful to God during his tragedy of losing all that was precious to him and never lost faith and hope in his God. In his darkest hour, his friends also came to him telling him that he had been punished by God and that all was lost to him. But he didn't listen.

Remember the powerful words of Job: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!" Job praised God for the good things he received in life, but when they were taken away, he continued to bless and praise God. This is the most important lesson and inspiration in Job's life. He didn't give in to the way he felt in the above reading. He didn't let the desperation with which he was tempted dissuade him from praising and worshiping God. He praised him in ALL things!

The tragedy of Job happened for a reason. It was to teach us this essential lesson on how to deal with the heavy burdens that life can throw on us. Interestingly, for those who carry heavy burdens, Job is a real inspiration. Because? Because they can relate to him. They can relate to his pain and learn from his perseverance in hope.

Think about Job today. Let her life inspire you. If you find that a particular burden in life weighs you down, still try to praise and worship God. Give God the glory due to His name simply because it is due to His name and not because you do or don't want to. In this, you will find that your heavy burden leads to your strengthening. You will become more faithful by staying faithful when it is very difficult to do so. It was Job and you can too!

Lord, when life is hard and the burden is great, help me deepen my faith in You and my love for You. Help me to love and adore you because it is good and right to do in everything. I love you, my Lord, and I choose to praise you always! Jesus I believe in you.