Job, David, You, and I. What’s the common theme here? Let’s take a deeper look.
“For my sighing comes instead of my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.” Job 3:24-25
The book of Job is packed with cries of pain, as his family is struck down, his health declines, and everything he once had is gone. There’s more to this story though, and we’ll get to that in a second.
“How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” Psalm 13:2
In Psalm 13 David laments that the Lord has forgotten him, that the Lord has withdrew from him. He begs of God how much longer? When will this end?
I’ve asked God that question a lot recently.
I have an autoimmune disease (Graves Disease), and the past few months have been hard. Most people can’t tell that I’m sick, not by a quick glance at least. The majority of my symptoms are invisible, but trust me they’re there.
Lately I’ve barely been able to get out of bed most days. There is a deep exhaustion that I can feel even in my bones, one that no amount of sleep fixes. Some days my brain fog is so bad, I can’t remember simple things like what day it is, or the reason I called you. Walking up a flight of stairs causes my heart rate to soar over 150 BPM, and my emotions? Wow the hormones are everywhere, and really don’t help with those.
And I lay in my bed, and wonder how much longer?
Now there is a fourth person in the title of this blog, and that’s you. Maybe you’re battling anxiety or depression. Or you just lost your job. Perhaps your pain is physical. That’s the theme between the four of us, we all live in a fallen world, and we all experience some type of pain in our lives.
Here’s the thing though, we don’t have to live in a hopelessness within our pain. We can put our trust in the Lord.
“And he said ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21
In the verses previous to Job 1:21, we see that Job just lost all of his property, and belongings. Then after that all of Job’s children died. In the midst of his heartbreak, and pain, Job worshipped the Lord.
“But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” Psalm 13:5-6
Coming back to Psalm 13 again, we read that David’s tune has changed a bit. From the questioning cries, to the peace of trusting in God.
In both of these passages, we see Job and David communicating their pain to the Lord, and trust in Him with what they’re going through. I’m not saying it’s always a simple thing to do, or quick. It may take a lot of wrestling within your heart, as well as repentance and confession. But when you put your trust in God, that is where you will find peace.
The Lord can do all things, and He can work in all things. Even if you never see it, there is purpose to your pain.
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2
As I sit here, and type all of this out, my bones ache and my entire body is screaming for me to go to sleep. Yet I also feel the best I have in weeks, as I sit here digging into God’s word, and trusting in Him.
Whatever it may be that you’re struggling with right now, I encourage you to go to the Lord with it. Communicate your pain to Him, cry out to our Heavenly Father! Open up His word, even if you really don’t feel like it. Trust in Him.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
There will be a day when I am free of Graves Disease. There will be a day when we no longer will mourn. There will be a day when we no longer feel the pains of this world. I trust that, that day is coming.
And I look forward to that day.
-Ellie Marie
*P.S. Feel free to message me on my contact page if you’re struggling with what to do with your pain, need prayer, or have any other questions!
Total Surrender 