by tumaini lutenta | 8 August 2025 08:46 pm08
Exploring the Trials of Job and the Purpose of Suffering
When Job was struck by immense suffering — the loss of his wealth, his children, and his health — his wife told him to curse God and die. But Job replied with wisdom that echoes across the ages:
“Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”
(Job 2:10, ESV)
Or as the NIV puts it:
*“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
This question raises a deep theological issue:
Do bad things come from God?
And if God is good, why does He allow suffering?
First, let’s clarify: God is not the author of evil. Scripture affirms that “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5, ESV). He is holy, righteous, and incapable of sin.
However, God may allow suffering — not as punishment, but as a refining tool. He permits trials, not to harm us, but to strengthen our faith, build character, and fulfill His purposes in and through us.
In Job’s case, Satan was the one who inflicted suffering — with God’s permission.
“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.’”
(Job 2:6, NIV)
This shows us that even the trials that come from the enemy cannot touch us without God’s sovereign oversight.
The pain you experience may feel meaningless in the moment, but in God’s hands, suffering becomes a tool for transformation.
Paul writes:
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
(Romans 5:3–4, ESV)
And James echoes this truth:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
(James 1:2–3, NIV)
Just like Job, we may not understand our trials while we’re in them. But God is not absent in our suffering. He is working through it, refining us like gold in the fire (1 Peter 1:6–7).
Job’s story didn’t end in ashes. After remaining faithful through pain, God restored him — not just to where he was, but with double what he had before:
“And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job… and the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
(Job 42:10, ESV)
“The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.”
(Job 42:12, NIV)
This reminds us that God never wastes a trial. He uses even the hardest seasons to bring about a deeper, richer blessing — both in this life and the life to come.
Jesus reassures us in Matthew:
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?”
(Matthew 7:9–10, NIV)
Even when life feels painful, we can trust that God’s intentions are never to harm us. He is a good Father, and every good and perfect gift comes from Him (James 1:17).
God forms deep virtues — like patience, humility, faith, and endurance — not just in the good times, but often through the storms.
Just like:
The Aramean siege in 2 Kings 7, which turned into a miraculous release of provision.
Samson’s lion encounter in Judges 14, which led to honey.
A woman’s labor pains, which bring forth new life.
So too, what seems like suffering in your life may actually be preparation for a greater purpose.
“You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
(James 5:11, NIV)
God is not just sovereign — He is compassionate. He sees your pain, walks with you through it, and promises that your story is not over.
When Job said,
“Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”
—he wasn’t saying that God sends evil. He was saying: If we trust God in the blessings, shouldn’t we also trust Him in the brokenness?
Because ultimately, God’s purposes are redemptive.
He doesn’t harm His children — He grows them, shapes them, and leads them to a greater hope.
Whatever season you’re in — whether joy or trial — know this:
God is at work.
Nothing is wasted.
Nothing is broken beyond repair.
And no tear is unseen.
Learn to look for God’s hand even in the hard seasons.
He is writing a story greater than you can imagine.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
(Romans 8:28, NIV)
May the Lord bless you — and use your story to bring hope to others.
Feel free to share this message with anyone who needs encouragement.
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