We have all heard the expression: “She has the patience of Job!” Patience is most certainly a virtue and is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, once a person makes the decision to give their life to Christ. The apostle Paul states in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Another word for patience is forbearance, which also means being able to control yourself in a difficult situation.
But who exactly was this mysterious man named Job, and what was his tale? In old testament days, Job lived in the land of Uz, a region located southeast of the Jordan River. His story is set in a lush and fertile land, plentiful with valuable agricultural crops and livestock but bordering the desert. Job was extremely wealthy, with 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 1,000 head of oxen, and 500 donkeys; he owned many other possessions, had a wife, seven sons and three daughters, many servants and friends as well as much land. He was in fact, the richest man of the east (northern Arabia). Highly blessed, he was blameless and upright before God, feared God, and shunned evil.
God held Job up to Satan as the most righteous man on the face of the earth, allowing Satan to test him, without actually killing him. Job’s faith was sorely tested after he lost all that he owned, including his children and servants as well as his health. Indeed, he was left like a beggar on the side of the road, covered with painful, infected boils from head to toe. His friends were of little help, accusing Job that he was being punished by God; even his wife told Job to “…Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). Full of faith: “He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?'” (Job 2:10). When he learned that his children had all been killed by a mighty wind that swept in from the desert, causing a house to collapse on them, Job famously declared:
“‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of
the Lord be praised.’ In all this, Job did not sin by charging
God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1: 21-22)
Poor Job! None of us want to end up with the suffering of Job, whether in small part or in the larger picture of life. The good news from this story is that in the end, God rewarded Job for his faithfulness, patience, and perseverance…he went on to live a long and happy life, with many more sons and daughters, and his wealth was multiplied double fold! If only we could be as patient (and waiting with a good attitude) as Job…imagine what God might do!
Over the course of the past two weeks, my own patience and long-suffering has been sorely tested. I woke up one morning with a tender tooth, which gradually progressed into a full-blown abscessed tooth, resulting in a partial root canal. I was out of commission for the good part of one week, with a very sore, swollen face and painful mouth, existing on pain killers and antibiotics. The next week was packed full of obligations and (previously cancelled) medical appointments, including problems with my computer and online banking. It culminated with me spending almost three days on the phone, talking with different government agents (trying to get someone to fix their mistake and take my issue seriously)! I felt frustrated beyond belief but tried to keep my cool…which was not an easy thing to do, believe me.
Suffering in either the big or the small things of life is not pleasant or easy. We may wonder WHY we go through so much, each day of our lives. Romans 5:3-4 offers us an explanation for our pain: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Furthermore, James 1:12 tells us: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” In other words, suffering in this life molds and shapes us into more faithful and hopefully, loving Christians (like Jesus), where we can look forward to our reward in Heaven some day.
Compared to eternity, this life is but a whisper; a preparation for our final destiny, and God promises NEVER to give us more than we can handle. He is always with us and will not forsake us…”And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a LITTLE while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 5:10-11)
