Faith Under Fire
There have been times when my faith is tested. There have been other times when I feel like I’m attacked because of my faith. When trials come, it’s easy to ask, “Why me?” I think I should probably be asking “Why not me?” I think suffering is no respecter of persons. Everyone suffers, whether a broken heart, broken marriage, broken family or grief. Dolly Partin penned a song that says, “Grief is love with no place to go”. I believe everyone suffers; it’s not if, it’s when. I want to be holding the hand of the King of Kings when suffering comes my way.
I’ve had my share of suffering, but nothing compared to Job. He is under a full-scale attack from the enemy and his suffering is a test as God and all of watches. He has some friends that come and sit with him in his suffering. Eliphaz starts by asking some questions. Check this out….
3 “In the past you have encouraged many people;
you have strengthened those who were weak.
4 Your words have supported those who were falling;
you encouraged those with shaky knees.
5 But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart.
You are terrified when it touches you.
6 Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence?
Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope? (Job 4:3-6 NLT)
Eliphaz does some reflective question asking. I believe the secret to good answers is to ask good questions. I feel like these questions are fair. Questions can often bring clarity to a situation. When I’m in the midst of suffering, the mountain ahead seems daunting. A good question might remind me of the last time I scaled a mountain larger than the one in front of me.
Encouragers need encouraging.
Leaders need other leaders to lead them.
Pastors need another pastor to teach and lead them.
Teachers need to be taught.
When my faith is under fire, I need others to pray with me.
When my faith is under fire, I need others to let me talk and vent.
When my faith is under fire, I need close confidants to ask me good questions.
In the midst of crisis, pain or suffering, it’s hard to find clarity. God’s Word can help me clarity. A Christ-follower can be incredibly helpful with clarifying questions that remind me of my deep faith. My faith is deeper and more sustainable than any suffering or pain that can come my way.
Pressing On1
Dwayne