There are many instances in Job when we want to shake our fists at the three friends and their constant assumptions that Job’s suffering is a result of some sort of sin in his life. It is beyond their way of thinking that, sometimes, suffering is just a part of living in this fallen world. Then, there are times when suffering is a part of God’s greater plan. While we may not like or understand this plan, we trust in his love for us and the goodness of his ways.

Just to be clear, suffering does not always equal punishment.

Sometimes, however…

{imagine me whispering and typing softly}

our suffering is a result of sin in our own lives.

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. – Isaiah 30:20-21

It’s true. Much like a child who occasionally needs correcting, we sometimes need a little affliction to put us back on the right path. There are two important things to remember when going through affliction.

1. God will not hide himself from you. Look for him.
2. God will talk you through the trial. Listen for him.

Why does he do it this way? Why doesn’t he just say “no-no” and leave us alone? When we see God guiding us through an intense time of suffering, often it is only then that we have no choice but to let go of the false gods to which we had been clinging.

Then, you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!” – Isaiah 30:22

God loves us enough to put us in a desperate situation where we are forced to hold on to him for dear life and, in so doing, must let go of whatever we have been holding onto for so long. Tough love at its finest, y’all.

But we can’t end it there because he does not end it there.

…and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the Lord binds up the brokenness of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow. – Isaiah 30:26

Redemption.

Restoration.

Healing.

We will never regret letting go of things that we had held on to in place of God. Those things? They were never going to do what they promised.

~~~

For the introductory post to this series, as well as an ongoing index of all the posts, just click here. —> 31 Days of Faith