A LACK OF ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE LEADS TO DESPAIR
- Key Verse
- "I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning." (Job 7:16)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God called Job "the most righteous man on earth" yet here we find Job wallowing in self pity and wishing that he had never been born. Focusing on our troubles instead of on the blessings of God and the needs of other people can lead to depression and despair.
Reflections
At this point in the story, Job has lost his health, his wealth and most of his family. His wife recommended that he should “curse God and die” and his friends are telling him that his problems are his own fault. It's hard to imagine the magnitude of his suffering, but he has done exactly what we tend to do when the going gets tough. He began to focus on what he had lost rather than what he had received.In fact, Job had received many years of blessing. He got married, had children, and watched them grow up. His business had grown and prospered until he was a wealthy man. During all that time, he was a worshiper of God. We can only imagine the joy he must have experienced from such a close walk with God. His life of worship and blessing must have been a tremendous testimony to the people of his day.
So, forgetting or ignoring what he had enjoyed for so long, he focused on what he no longer had. Inevitably, this kind of thinking leads to depression and despair. He wished, not only that he were dead, but that he had never been born. If he had never lived or loved and worshiped God, now that would have been a real tragedy!
I typically do the same thing as Job. I tend to focus on my problems, disappointments and difficulties instead of the goodness and trustworthiness of God. When I do, I become unhappy, dissatisfied, and depressed just like Job did.
The remedy is gratefully remembering and reviewing such things as these:
- God's love for me, Jesus death as payment for my sins and my eternal destiny in heaven with Him.
- The past blessings that I have received.
- The opportunities I have to help others.
Discussion Questions
- Review the blessings of Job's past life. Try to imagine what his life must have been like and the impact he was having in his world.
- What were Job's choices when his life changed for the worst?
- What were the consequences of the choice he made?
- How am I responding to the problems, disappointments and difficulties in my life?
- Is my attitude marked by gratitude or a sense of entitlement?
- Have I grown comfortable with my misery and complaining?
- Consider Ecclesiastes 5:2, “He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.” Am I willing to allow God to fill me with gladness? What do I need to do?
- Will I commit to doing what it takes to return to a joyful attitude?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
Bob A. King
March 9, 2010 05:39 AM
Great way to begin the day, Rick, by focusing on Jesus Christ, our position in Him, our potential because of Him and our privileges given us by Him. You brought fresh insights both to Job and to Hebrews 12:1-3. I am pumped, ready to tackle the events of a new day by looking to Jesus. Thanks, Rick!!
Chip Smith
March 9, 2010 06:16 AM
Thanks Rick for a great log of perspective. Hopeless despair is depressing. I have had severe allergic reactions a couple of times where it was like my whole body inside and out were on fire. Once when I was young boy and without Jesus and again when I was a man with a relationship with the eternal hope, Jesus. As a young man, I feared my condition would never end but as a believer, I knew it was only temporary. Just a few years back, I watched my sister die of cancer and although her suffering was great, her relationship and joy in Jesus kept her in grace as she anticipated leaving to be with Jesus. Eternal hope makes all the difference. (Romans 5:3 and 8:18)
Mark Sutton
March 9, 2010 06:18 AM
Rick, Thanks for the devotion. It all comes down to a choice for me daily. Will I take my eyes off God, looking back at what I had and refuse what he has for me now or will I exercise faith and gratitude looking for the blessings he has given me today?
Paul Carlson
March 9, 2010 07:23 AM
Rick, nice work on a great passage in Job. Your summary to keep our focus on the belssings we receive from God and looking to serve others is spot on. There is nothing like ministering to others to take our minds off of ourselves and put it back to where it needs to be - on Christ. Thanks!
Tim Hawks
March 9, 2010 08:20 AM
Thanks, Rick. Great insight into the need for hope in situations where we are suffering.
Ron Hunt
March 9, 2010 09:00 AM
Thanks, Rick. I needed that jolt to face it I am looking the wrong way. Jesus has given me everything I need I just need to appreciate it and be satisfied with all I have received from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Hopeful and living to sever Jesus!
Ron Hunt
March 9, 2010 09:01 AM
Thanks, Rick. I needed that jolt to face it I am looking the wrong way. Jesus has given me everything I need I just need to appreciate it and be satisfied with all I have received from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Hopeful and living to sever Jesus!
Eric Hoehn
March 9, 2010 09:02 AM
Nice job Rick. When we are in a valley, it is hard to see up either side
Doug Foxworth
March 9, 2010 09:14 AM
Great devotional Rick. It is so easy for us to feel entitled and forget to look backwards at the past grace, mercy and blessings God has granted when we are in the midst of suffering. God gives us the gift of that history as a hope for the future whether temporal or eternal. Thanks for the reminder.
Garland Cole
March 9, 2010 09:37 AM
Another thought occured to me that there is spiritual warfare going on for each believer, just as there was for Job. We take comfort in the knowledge that in spite of how bleak our situation might be, we have a mighty God who loves us and has redeemed us through His son, Jesus, and that even good/blessings can come out of the pit that we find ourselves in.
Brian Replogle
March 9, 2010 09:44 AM
Great job Rick! It is always a blessing to see how Job handles things and how we need to aopproach life. Thanks for the encouraging thoughts.
Laurie Carlson
March 9, 2010 10:10 AM
Thanks Rick, good perspective on human nature, it is always easier to wallow in a pity party when down in the pits. But looking to our great Redeemer, the Eternal Life he offers on our behalf and sharing that with those around us is the only way to truly get out of that pit. Life is hard, but God is good!