Job 14:1 - Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.
Sometimes we read about the characters in the Bible and think of them as if they are not human. Yet the characters that we often call "saints" had their fair share of discouragement, anger, temptations, and failure. We do ourselves and them a great disservice when we fail to realize that they were as imperfect as we are. Many of the most beautiful passages of scripture were written in times of great distress.The above verse fits the bill. The statement that Job makes here seems almost to be pessimistic, yet I don't believe it is intended as so. I believe it is more a statement of reality than complaint. Allow me to explain.
We live in a fallen world that is no longer perfect because of sin. Yet from some where, maybe as a small child, the ideas begins to form in the minds of some that life should be perfect or what we call fair. Of course it isn't. Life is full of troubles. We get flat tires, sometimes we don't feel well, and the list goes one. These things are not signs that God doesn't love us or that we are not praying enough. They are just part of life in this world.
Yesterday I had a debilitating headache that just wouldn't quit. I had to go home and lie down before church. My wife prayed for me and it didn't instantly go away although I did feel better after a time. I had a lot to do at work and had a business meeting that night at church. I didn't ask God why He let me have a headache on such a busy day. It wasn't God's fault. It is just a part of life.
Many times our young people have unrealistic expectations when they enter the work force; they believe that they should start at the top. They don't value the experience of growing and learning and being under someone else's authority. In the same way, we can all have unrealistic expectations when it comes to the kingdom of God. We are all growing and learning. It is unrealistic to expect everyday to be wonderful and stress free. It is unrealistic to expect to always feel good and never had a headache. I am not being pessimistic but realistic. Many times the reason people get discouraged is because of unrealistic expectations.
The sooner we realize that this life is never going to be perfect the better off we will be. We make the most out of the good and the bad. If we are always looking at the bad and complaining about it we will never be happy. But if we find the good and thank God for it we will learn the meaning of contentment.
Some people are never happy in their church because they expect the pastor to be perfect. If he makes a mistake they are looking for somewhere else to go. Some are never content to stay in a job. They are always looking for better pay and a better position. They fail to realize that they will never get better pay and a better position if they are not faithful to the position they have now. Unrealistic expectations.
Now life is not perfect but we do have a perfect God who helps us through our infirmities (troubles). In John 16:7 Jesus said that when he went away he would send us a helper. The King James says comforter. The Greek word is "parakletos" which can also be translated as helper. Jesus was promising that when the Holy Ghost came he would be our helper. The Holy Ghost comes alongside the believer and helps through his troubles. When I find myself in a bad situation I can ask the Holy Ghost (who by the way is the spirit of Jesus himself) to be my helper.
Life is hard but I don't have to face life's difficulties alone. I have a helper who lives inside of me and is with me in every situation. When I need wisdom He is there. When I need strength He is there. When I need advice or direction He is there. I must throw out the idea that life is perfect; It will never be so in this life. Expecting every day to be carefree is like looking through rose colored glasses. I don't fear and look for trouble. But I can't let it discourage me when it comes. I understand that it is part of the imperfect world we live in. When the trouble seems to great to handle I just reach for my Helper. He is always there. When I speak the name Jesus He runs to my rescue.
And I look forward everyday with joy knowing that there is a perfect life coming. It is waiting as the reward for every child of God who has been faithful to the Master, Jesus Christ. Let us run with patience the race that is set before, looking unto Jesus ....(Hebrews 12:1)
Sincerely,
Sullivan Jones
Sometimes we read about the characters in the Bible and think of them as if they are not human. Yet the characters that we often call "saints" had their fair share of discouragement, anger, temptations, and failure. We do ourselves and them a great disservice when we fail to realize that they were as imperfect as we are. Many of the most beautiful passages of scripture were written in times of great distress.The above verse fits the bill. The statement that Job makes here seems almost to be pessimistic, yet I don't believe it is intended as so. I believe it is more a statement of reality than complaint. Allow me to explain.
We live in a fallen world that is no longer perfect because of sin. Yet from some where, maybe as a small child, the ideas begins to form in the minds of some that life should be perfect or what we call fair. Of course it isn't. Life is full of troubles. We get flat tires, sometimes we don't feel well, and the list goes one. These things are not signs that God doesn't love us or that we are not praying enough. They are just part of life in this world.
Yesterday I had a debilitating headache that just wouldn't quit. I had to go home and lie down before church. My wife prayed for me and it didn't instantly go away although I did feel better after a time. I had a lot to do at work and had a business meeting that night at church. I didn't ask God why He let me have a headache on such a busy day. It wasn't God's fault. It is just a part of life.
Many times our young people have unrealistic expectations when they enter the work force; they believe that they should start at the top. They don't value the experience of growing and learning and being under someone else's authority. In the same way, we can all have unrealistic expectations when it comes to the kingdom of God. We are all growing and learning. It is unrealistic to expect everyday to be wonderful and stress free. It is unrealistic to expect to always feel good and never had a headache. I am not being pessimistic but realistic. Many times the reason people get discouraged is because of unrealistic expectations.
The sooner we realize that this life is never going to be perfect the better off we will be. We make the most out of the good and the bad. If we are always looking at the bad and complaining about it we will never be happy. But if we find the good and thank God for it we will learn the meaning of contentment.
Some people are never happy in their church because they expect the pastor to be perfect. If he makes a mistake they are looking for somewhere else to go. Some are never content to stay in a job. They are always looking for better pay and a better position. They fail to realize that they will never get better pay and a better position if they are not faithful to the position they have now. Unrealistic expectations.
Now life is not perfect but we do have a perfect God who helps us through our infirmities (troubles). In John 16:7 Jesus said that when he went away he would send us a helper. The King James says comforter. The Greek word is "parakletos" which can also be translated as helper. Jesus was promising that when the Holy Ghost came he would be our helper. The Holy Ghost comes alongside the believer and helps through his troubles. When I find myself in a bad situation I can ask the Holy Ghost (who by the way is the spirit of Jesus himself) to be my helper.
Life is hard but I don't have to face life's difficulties alone. I have a helper who lives inside of me and is with me in every situation. When I need wisdom He is there. When I need strength He is there. When I need advice or direction He is there. I must throw out the idea that life is perfect; It will never be so in this life. Expecting every day to be carefree is like looking through rose colored glasses. I don't fear and look for trouble. But I can't let it discourage me when it comes. I understand that it is part of the imperfect world we live in. When the trouble seems to great to handle I just reach for my Helper. He is always there. When I speak the name Jesus He runs to my rescue.
And I look forward everyday with joy knowing that there is a perfect life coming. It is waiting as the reward for every child of God who has been faithful to the Master, Jesus Christ. Let us run with patience the race that is set before, looking unto Jesus ....(Hebrews 12:1)
Sincerely,
Sullivan Jones