Learning from Job

This past weekend I had the privilege of going up to the Women discipling women conference at Grace Community Church. It was a great time of teaching and instruction from the Word of God on various issues in regards to biblical counseling. One specific message that resounded deep within was on the book of Job and how to counsel someone when the whole world seems to be caving in.

When we read the book of Job we quickly realize that God himself esteemed Job by calling him "blameless" and "upright"...in fact it is God who brings Job to the attention of Satan. We all know the story and how God grants Satan permission to try Job's faith in a sense. You see Satan's ideal is for us to be so stripped that we are doubting God's goodness and grace and curse his name. Then come the three friends and boy can we learn from them and the counsel they offer their dear hurting friend.

MISTAKES IN COUNSELING THE SUFFERING:
1. We miss the depth of God's wisdom and His counsel. We assume that God has the same plan for everyone and that is not true! All of us are legalists at heart and this is why we need the Gospel everyday. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT GOD IS DOING!!!

2. We assume that there is a direct one-on-one correlation between suffering and righteousness. We soon see Job wonder why God is not working the way he always did in his life as his mentality was that if he lived an upright life he would have a blessed life.

3.We can assume wrongly that suffering is punitive rather then redemptive...in fact it is done in love.

4. We don't realize that God's perspective on justice differs from ours. If we are saved our suffering is not the wrath of God on our sins as that has been poured out on Christ and paid for. In adversity we learn "Here I am, see how wonderful I am" from the Lord.

5. We can fail to listen (Proverbs 18:2)

6. We can fail to love and thereby fail to believe the best (1 Cor 13:7)

7. We can fall into self-righteousness and pride (Job 15:9)...always comparing

8. We can assume that we know everything about God's providence (1 Cor 13:4-5a)

HOW TO AVOID THESE MISTAKES:
- We need to listen and learn (Job 19:21)
- We need to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15)
-If one part of the body suffers we all do (1 Cor 12:26)
-We need to bear each others burdens (Galatians 6:2)
-We must treat all with kindness (2 Tim 2:24)
-We must be ready to bow in humility..God is not obligated to tell us why something is happening, he is not obligated to vindicate

REMEMBER GOD IS NOT YOUR ENEMY BECAUSE HE MADE HIS SON HIS ENEMY (Zeph 3)

HOW DOES JOB GAIN VICTORY?
1. Finds solid and firm ground...HIS REDEEMER LIVES (Job 19:25-27)

2. He realizes God is not punishing him but teaching him about who He is

3. His faith has been approved!

GOD'S GOAL IN AFFLICTION:
1. HIS GLORY

2. Our Good (Romans 8:28)

3. Our affliction is always redemptive since judgment has been poured on Christ, His son

HOW TO COUNSEL THE SUFFERING:
1. No complaining against one another

2. Realize God uses certain people to set examples for His glory

3. Help one endure by serving in practical ways, reassuring one of God's character

4. All the Lord's dealings are full of compassion and mercy


AND REMEMBER SOMETIMES GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS MORE COMPLEX THEN WE THINK (1 Thess 5:14)