April 28, 2025

Poor Job lamented his life. His misery was so much that he cursed the day he was born and wished he had died at birth. Job was not the only person in the Bible who lamented his birth; Jeremiah and King David also wished they hadn’t been born. We may be under such pain and torment that we either want our death or reminisce that we were never born, but neither is possible without God’s permission. He gave us life and is in charge of the time of our return to Him in our death; we have no absolute control over either. My heart goes out to Job and his situation, and I understand why he may have wanted to die rather than live a tormented life. He was mourning the death of his children and all his wealth vanishing but also dealing with the pain of disease, so, understandably, he might have wanted to be relieved of his misery. Job’s friends didn’t say a word at this point in the scripture; they listened. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is listen without speaking when someone is in pain, but if words are needed, we must use consoling language to help ease their pain and not add to their burden. 

For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters. For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. Job 3:24-25