The book of Job

We in Kingdom Kids were moved by reading the book of Job.
Observations:

• When God speaks, He has all things figured out. He's not "working through it" at the moment. It's a shock when we realize, like Job, that God has been in control all along. 
• Job must have felt like an ant when God spoke. When God makes things clear to us that we have not been patient about, we also feel the need to close our mouth, as Job did,  because sometimes we just don't have a clue. In some ways, we have zero knowledge about what is happening all around us, and we just need to listen to God. We can't do that when we are expressing confusion and in a sense, arguing with God.
• We need to be empathetic to others who are suffering, and sometimes keep silent as we support them. Job's friends wanted so sincerely to help him, but they overstepped their boundaries of knowledge and gave answers which were not accurate. When we support others in their time of suffering, speak softly and speak carefully. Actions of love and concern are most helpful. What we think is wisdom may go completely against God's wisdom. If there isn't an answer to suffering, don't make one up. 
• Why do we ignore the message of the book of Job so often? As we grow and mature in our suffering, the goal is to move from our human perspective of success and "blessings,"  and have a more eternal perspective. At no point did God give Job a promise that his suffering would end on earth, though in the end God proved how clueless about the outcome Job was by giving him double in every category. We must be more content and trust in God no matter where we are at in life. Although we pray for God to give us the desire of our hearts, God's desire is that our prayers go from "fix this problem" or "give me what I need" to "tell me what I need" and "You, God, are THE ANSWER." We are called to embrace suffering and simply wait on God. It comes down to patience and trust. This is difficult, but God said to Job in essence, "Man up! Tell me who is in control here? Who is God?" The answer is not that we receive blessings and an easy life on earth, but that we trust God is in control of our destiny and our eternal future.