Sympathy for Job’s Wife
The highlight of the day was the completion of our basement refinish project to the point of just needing carpeting. Our thanks to Brian Maseberg and his son Drew and friend August for many days and hours of attention to details to get us to this point.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “His wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.” Job 2:9,10 HCSB
One of the most important things to remember in a “health” or personal crisis, is that it impacts the entire family. Outside of the words of Job’s wife early in the story, we fail to remember that Job’s wife walked through this crisis with him. As a mother she lost her children, she saw her security destroyed and she was watching her husband endure unspeakable agony.
Her cry of “curse God and die” is not blasphemy against the Lord as much as looking for a “way out” for Job as well as herself. When we are in pain, the total focus is on to “stop it!” At times, that can make people resort to extreme measures. We can be thankful for Job’s example and willingness to endure; even though he regretted his life and even being born. Expressing our deepest thoughts and pain is an important part of making it through a time of crisis.
In our present time, Colorado has been presented with essentially, “physician assisted suicide.” I find it interesting that most of the support is a result of people who know of or watching a loved one or friend die in pain. Their cry instead of “curse God and die” is “take some medication and die.” The result they say, is to end the suffering of the loved one, which is easier to accept than to say, “This is too painful for me to watch.”
What I find of interest through Debbie’s work as a hospice nurse is that even patients who desire death as a way out of their pain, hesitate to take any actions that actually will end their life.
Prolonged illness, the deep trials of life, test the fabric of relationships like nothing else. Many spouse’s have chosen to exit a relationship, instead of “sticking it out.” Even during my illness, Debbie had people ask her if she was going to stay married to me.
Job’s attitude was one that is important to grasp. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” How relevant that question is for our lives today. When difficulties come questions abound. Questions about God, about our lives, about “why?” Why this? Why now? Why me? Those questions are all okay, natural and are part of a grief process.
What matters is the response to the circumstances of life after “why” is asked. Job endured and saw the Lord intervene, he learned more about God, than he had known and he saw his health and wealth restored. Apparently Job’s wife “hung in there” with him, because they had more children at the end of the story.
Through my experience, I often say that Debbie has the real story to tell. I’m sure the same was true of Job’s wife. It is too bad we don’t have her perspective, but we can observe some natural responses that need to be recognized and “worked through.” These are all part of confronting the challenges and tests of life. I’m thankful God’s grace is available for the those who suffer. That includes the individual themselves and their loved ones.
Prayer to Today… “Lord thank You for Your grace and strength that is available during times of trials and suffering. Thank You, that You allow us to express our deepest fears and frustrations while holding us in Your love and grace. May we continue to trust you, day by day, moment by moment as we rely on Your provision.”