Endurance and Empathy

Day 7 of 365...reading through the Bible in a year

Job 14-16

Job 14:5-6 - "Since man's days are determined and the number of his months depends on You, and since You have set limits he cannot pass, look away from him and let him rest so that he can enjoy his day like a hired hand. "

Job finishes up his reply to Zophar in chapter 14.  But, in reality, he finishes his reply  by crying out to God even more.  In the passage above, he is asking for a bit of a reprieve.  It's almost as if he's asking God, "Haven't You done enough, give me a break?"  I have the tendency to be like Job here.  I would be willing to bet that I'm not alone in this.  In fact, I would venture to guess that many people look for a reprieve or an easier way out.  However, I am beginning to realize, as I grow older, that it's the process that is important.  If I am not willing to endure during the hard times, then I am not giving God His ample opportunity to make me into what He wants me to be.  It is then that I must ask myself, would I rather take the easy road and rarely experience God with any depth?  Or, would I rather explore the depths to which God wants to connect with me?  I have found that the relationship that is forged through pain and suffering is deeper and stronger that one forged through superficiality and small talk.  I'm at a point in my life that I need my relationships to matter, whether they are individuals or my Creator.  I wish I would have listened to God more when I was younger, because this is what He's always wanted.

Job 16:4-5 - "If you were in my place I could also talk like you.  I could string words together against you and shake my head at you, but I wouldn't.  I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief."

Elphaz speaks up again in chapter 15.  it seems as though he's getting tired of Job's rants.  He comes at Job pretty hard, and I assume he does so to give Job a verbal wake up call.  However, Job begins his response in chapter 16, and it's pretty clear what Job thinks about Eliphaz's thoughts.  In verses 4 and 5, Job gives a perfect example of how you can empathize with someone and speak into their life (if God leads you to).  The best way to minister to someone in that situation is to put yourself in their shoes and tell them what you would want to hear.  The same is true for intercessory prayer.  I learned this after my wife and I lead a group through a bible study called "The Prayer of Jesus."  The author talks about putting yourself in the shoes of the person needing prayer.  In doing so, you begin to pray differently because you are taking on their pain and suffering and praying accordingly.  The same rings true when trying to speak wisdom and comfort to someone who needs it.  It should always be done with compassion and empathy.

I pray that God gives me strength to endure the trials and suffering that lies ahead.  I also pray that God allows me to empathize and love people that I come in contact with, so that they may experience God through their trying times.