I am Suffering; Hear Me Roar

“I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians. If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom!” – Job 13:3-5 (NRSV)

It’s not often that we find a lifetime’s worth of lessons packed into three short verses of scripture, so here’s the story:

Job’s life has fallen to pieces. In short order, this righteous man has lost to natural disasters (read: “acts of God”) all his livestock and servants, his seven sons, and his three daughters. He is devastated, but he remains faithful.

Then Job gets sick, in the most miserable way. Still, he refuses to curse God.

Enter Job’s so-called friends. In an effort to “comfort” Job, they offer variations on a theme of false, soul-crushing theology: (a) everything happens for a reason, (b) everyone gets what they deserve, (c) you must be a bad person, and (d) God is punishing you.

To which Job replies: “Stop torturing me with lies! Stop talking! I’m broken, and I’m going to give God a piece of my mind.” And so he does—giving the rest of us a master class in suffering and consolation.

Lesson One: The best way to comfort someone is with your presence. If you really must speak, say, “I’m so sorry this is happening to you.”

Two: When life gives you lemons, take it up with the One who created them. You honor God and help yourself when you express your anger and anguish, your disappointment, doubt, and fear.

Three: Bad things happen to good people, and it’s neither God’s doing nor your fault.

Prayer
Even as I shake my fist at you, Holy One, enfold me in your heart.

About the Author
Vicki Kemper is the Pastor of First Congregational, UCC, of Amherst, Massachusetts.