Most of us will never have troubles to compare with Job’s.
What’s worse for Job, he never knew that his suffering was the result of a behind-the-scenes
arrangement between God and Satan. Our suffering probably stems from other
causes, although I wouldn’t argue against the possibility of spiritual warfare of a personal
nature in some cases. Most of us, however, are victims of our own poor choices or
of someone else’s actions. Accidents, nature, life in a fallen world are also
factors in our misfortunes. But even if our troubles are self-inflicted and
minor, are we not entitled to cry out to God?
Job’s lament here is the cry of someone who is comfortable with God because he knows God. He is not afraid that God will reject him or belittle him. And God, at the end of the account, never condemned Job for his complaints or his “varying moods.”*
Venting to God – complaining in the bitterness of the soul –
is often the first step in healing. Perhaps you struggle with the same issues that
I do: When my problem is my own fault, or if it’s more of a whine than a
legitimate complaint, I tend to think I don’t deserve to bring my hurt before
God.
I don’t think God intends for us to suppress our feelings in
his presence. The Psalms of David provide us with examples of how crying out to
God can clear the way to glorious praise as his Spirit helps us work through
our hurts. Sometimes it helps to talk
to another person, but it always
helps to express your strongest – and even most inappropriate – feelings to
God. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
(Matthew 5: 4) He didn’t offer his comfort only to those who had a good reason
to mourn. When he said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” (John 14: 1) he
also included the how-to instructions: “Trust in God; trust also in me.” You
can trust him with your feelings!
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