Christian Living

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Job 1:20 – At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship.

The war rages in the Middle East and civilians caught in the crossfire tried to run away from the senseless violence. Fearing for their lives, they left behind not only properties and whatever livelihood they have, but the also the community and the way of living they have been used to. With meagre packs, they braved the unknown, crossing borders and seas to places they may see for the first time, or may not see at all. Many of them sacrificed their lives and those of their children as we saw dead bodies littered the shores of Europe.

These people have no more places to get back to. The homes they left whether in Syria, Afghanistan or Libya were most likely destroyed by bombs and it would require building up from scratch.

I have not experienced war, but nature in its most devastating way. When Typhoon Ondoy (International name: Ketsana) hit the Philippines in 2009 and flooded our city, the flood waters reached the ceiling of our house destroying everything. I felt helpless and I have nobody to blame! All I have to do is pray and wait. Yes, wait for the leading of the Lord.

In times like these, what are we supposed to do? Those with so many questions about God allowing bad things to happen to good people, the Bible showed us the life of Job. He lost everything, his wealth and properties, his children, the respect of the people around him and his friends. Even his wife cursed him!

But Job showed us the right way of responding. He was described as ‘blameless and upright.’ We may not be blameless, but we can be upright by following the example of Job.

First, we should grieve. We have to release the welling emotion on the loss of people and things we love, just as Job ‘tore his robe and shave.’
Second, we should pray and continuously talk to God. We can ask, cry our heart out, we may even question Him. But in our grief we should be careful that we do not sin. Job cried out to God asking the reason for the calamity that befell him.
Third, we have to deal with other people even your detractors. Some people delight in the tragedies of others. These people would even rub salt to the wound. Job showed us that dealing with other people even those who sneered at his misfortune was an opportunity for them to learn something about the nature of God.
Finally, we have to worship God. Nothing happen without God’s knowledge. Our minds may not comprehend the reason when we lost everything, but when things come to pass, something greater will be revealed to us.

Like Job, better replacements are in store for things and people we lost.

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