Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?

I’ve been reading the book of Job. I’ve read this book before but have never been struck by some of the phrases that have now jumped off the page.

That happened to me yesterday. See, God and Satan had a little chat and as a result, Job lost all his family and wealth. Job’s wife was a bit put off by all this and came to Job, told him to him forget about living a life of integrity and instead curse God. Job replied with the phrase, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”

Somewhere in modern church theology we got into the mindset that if we do XYZ and are committed to God and do good, then our lives will be filled with blessings. But are those blessings sometimes wrapped up in what the world views as curses?

It’s easy to love someone when they are loving us, giving to us and taking care of us. How about when the opposite is true? I struggle with that. I want a comfortable life. I want things to “work out my way.”

This adoption process has continued to teach me that life isn’t about me. Oh no, I am part of a much larger circle.

My mind continues to ruminate around Job’s comment to his wife. I wonder what she thought when he said this? The Bible doesn’t say. I do know that I tend to be more like Job’s wife than Job. And ouch, that hurts!