Where is God When Life Hurts?

To the reader:

My country of Kenya has been undergoing a tough time since the general election for parliamentarians and the presidency. Many felt cheated, a feeling that is common in many other countries in Africa. The election fiasco stirred tribalism tendencies within the Kenyan people. Violence broke out and the entire country was in chaos for more than one month. Many lost their property through looting and utter destruction just because they hailed
from a different community.

The church was not untouched by this event, as we underwent a period of self-examination in which we had to be honest with our own feelings. The conclusion was obvious: we needed to change. Otherwise our personal expectations with respect to the election would poison our own souls. We needed the peace of God. This Bible Talk was written to address this need. The central question that rings in our ears during difficult times is: Where is God when life hurts? We will look at trusting God during good and bad times.

Opening Question:

What makes you Healthy? Wealthy? Wise?

Job 1:1-5

What impresses you about Job in these verses? What kind of a person was he?

Job 1:6-12

Job loses everything. In chapter 2, he loses even his health.

What was his reaction?

Had you been Job, how would you have reacted?

If you lost all in a day, what would be your biggest question?

How did Satan choose Job and how might he choose you?

What do you think this test meant for Job?

Job 1:20-22

What was Job response after losing everything? He worships God.

What can you praise God for right now?

Job 2:9

Job maintains his integrity

What is your biggest obstacle today that challenges your integrity?

Job 42:10-16

At the end, Job is doubly-blessed by God.

Why was Job restored?

Why did his family and friends now come back?

Does God always promise a happy ending?

What if your situation NEVER got better? (For some it did not. See Hebrews chapter 11, for example).

How do you think Job would have answered the question: Where is God when it hurts –both at the point when he lost everything and after being restored?

What about you?

CHALLENGE:

No matter what we think makes us Wealthy, Healthy or Wise, we must realize that the things of this world are only for a moment and can and will disappear. As such we must give ourselves to obeying God at all times no matter what we are going through.