He notices that everything in his life does not always run smoothly. He gets hurt when unpleasant things happen to him, sometimes as a result of his own wrong choices. But there are also situations that hurt him over which he has no control. Sometimes he battles to free himself of his past, but at other times he manages to talk to God about his suffering and to confront the pain. Then he realises that he can start anew, in spite of all that might have happened before.

Although he serves God, unpleasant things still sometimes happen to him. Job is an example of someone who lost everything; his oxen, donkeys, servants, and even his sons and daughters. Read Job 1:13-22

Then Job stood up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downwards on the ground. He said, “I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!”

In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.

A godly man can also suffer from an incurable disease. We know the story of Hezekiah who fell critically ill (2 Kings 20:1). Hezekiah took his pain to the Lord and that is what all Christians must do.

Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed: “Remember, Lord, that I have served you faithfully and loyally, and that I have always tried to do what you wanted me to.” And he began to cry bitterly. 2 Kings 20:2-3

Sometimes our believing man suffers because of his child’s wrong choices. If this is you, know that you are not alone. Isaac and Rebecca were very unhappy about the two wives their son Esau had married.

When Esau was 40 years old, he married two Hittite women, Judith the daughter of Beeri, and Basemath the daughter of Elon. They made life miserable for Isaac and Rebecca. Genesis 26:34-35

We know the story of Moses who killed an Egyptian. Like Moses, many of us have a past that haunts us. Read Moses’s story in Exodus 2:13-15

Do you recognise yourself in some of these characters from the Bible? Can you say: I am he?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that whatever happens, I can turn to you. Thank you that I can bring all my suffering and pain to you, knowing that you listen and that I do not have to bear it alone. Amen