We have carefully defined a set of cause and effect patterns that seem logical to us. But life just seems to “happen” all of a sudden. It comes in the most unexpected way and without warning.
You said that God was your strength and confidence (Job 4:7). You held on to integrity in all your interactions with others. They mocked you for holding on to integrity, but you held firm and said that since you trust God, you will continue in such ways.
We have certainly seen the wicked perish (Job 4:8). Those who do evil may prosper for a while, but eventually their lives fall apart right before our eyes.
But let’s think logically. Can human beings ever be right before God? (Job 4:17) Will we ever have the right to stand up to God? We may do some good things and try to live an acceptable life. But is that ever enough for a holy and righteous God?
We want to make sense of everything in life, but that just doesn’t work. We need to trust God. He is faithful. He knows what is best.
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She was accused of the most shameful act in her society. Even her fiance’ thought the same as all others. Then he became silent. But the people continued. The gossip in the village was thick.

Whenever something would go wrong or whenever someone would get sick, the neighbors would refer to the home of the “wayward woman.” They never said anything directly to her – only to her children. They would come home and ask her what they said. But Mary kept silent. They wouldn’t understand.

Having a child out of wedlock, would normally incur the wrath of the community. The religious leaders and community leaders would take the initiative to have her stoned to death. But it was her finance’s words that saved her.

Then at her son’s baptism, the heavens opened up and the Spirit of God came down on him like a dove. Then the voice of God said:

“This is my beloved son with whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17).

Now, the public shame was publicly settled by Jesus’ Father. Settled once and for all, Mary went home in peace.

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When you are cornered on every side, and there is no hope for you in sight, what would you do? If God is not your shield and he is not the one you run to in times of trouble, where is your hope? For Job, death seemed to be the best option (Job 3:11-23).
In the midst of tragedy, would I come to such a conclusion? Would you? This is where unanswered prayers become a blessing. God is gracious to us. We may have longed for death just like Job:

“Why is light given to him who is in misery; and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than hidden treasures, who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?” (Job 3:20-23)

Like Job, our only hope may be death. And nothing else. As a matter of fact, it may become the ultimate longing of our hearts. But God ignores such requests.
In the midst of tragedy, the longing for death may be a natural response. It is during such times that God blesses us with unanswered prayers. Maybe it’s time for us to give up and let God do his work. He chooses to lead us through a more difficult path in which he can do things in us and through us that are much beyond our thinking.
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You’ve been wanting to get rid of some things in your life. On top of that list are habits and attitudes that ultimately work against you. You know that in the long run, these are the things that will keep you from moving forward – and may ultimately break you.
I’m constantly reminded of the words of the old song “…and the things of earth will grow strangely dim” (Turn your eyes upon Jesus). Those things you want to get rid of will get pushed back to the shadows as the light of Jesus shines brighter in your heart.
But the struggle increases when the light comes on. Those unwanted things begin to show up even brighter than ever before. This is why people often wonder why trouble increases when they come to Jesus. At this point, bring it to Jesus and crucify the fleshly desires that wage war against your soul.
It is at this point that the things of this life begin to grow dim. The light of Jesus comes and shines on you and brings a shadow on those things you need to get rid of.
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Out of a genuine desire to help people in distress, we often try to say consoling words. Sometimes we may even try to come up with reasons why their problem has occurred. There can also be an attempt to find some ultimate good or purpose for the suffering. Each of these attempts turn out futile as those who suffer cannot think beyond their suffering.
In the Bible, Job was a man who experienced horrific and multiple tragedies in his life. When word got out, three of his friends came and sat with him silently for seven days. Certainly the presence of his friends was comforting for him (Job 2:13).
Finally his friends broke the silence and each one began to speak in turn. But their words turned out to be disastrous for a man in such a situation. Maybe it was better that they kept their mouths shut (Job 16:2-3).
The presence of friends and family bring a certain level of assurance that  we’re not alone. Couple that with solitude and it can be a great source of inner strength that will help us to face challenges. Times of solitude can be an opportunity to experience God’s presence. So cut the distractions and spend time alone with God and sit silently with those who suffer.
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I searched for a T-shirt to wear. “This one is a nice one. I’ll save it for later, for another time when I go someplace.” I have a tendency to keep old, worn out shirts so I can wear them at home or for my morning walks. But this time I caught myself. Why can’t I wear the nicer one for myself? Maybe It’s time to reconsider my perspective.
I began thinking in such “minimalist ways after I began reading Leo Babauta’s writings. Although I don’t consider myself to be a minimalist, my thinking has begun to shift. I’ve begun to let go of old, useless items that I thought I might need some day.
But what about the T-shirt? I wore the nicer one. And I continue to choose the nicer ones to wear. But I haven’t found a better, more comfortable substitute for old, worn out blue jeans.
Some of you who read this may relate with this struggle. Our self-image truly does impact our confidence and work.
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It’s an unimaginable thought. The word “evil” mentioned in Job 2:10 can be translated as disaster or calamity. But it’s difficult to think of God causing trouble or disaster in our lives.
But God in his sovereignty knows what it takes to build us and mold us. His aim is to transform us into his own likeness. Sometimes it takes problems and even disaster to break off unwanted things in us so that God can build what is required for us to become more like him everyday.
When everything fell apart in his life, his wife asked a question that is a common thought for many: “Why don’t you just commit suicide?” She knew that God was his only hope, but even God wasn’t responding. Now the only option for her was death.
God is not the author of evil. But God was there in the disaster. Nothing makes sense in life, but as long as God is present he will make sense of all things. He has a plan for our lives. Trust him till the end.
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Renew your mind and be transformed so that you won’t conform to this world. But the world is like a strong suction/force that can easily suck us into its realm. Once you are sucked in, you become part of the system.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).

Circumcise your heart. It’s a deep rooted step to establish a covenant with God from your heart. This is where your heart’s desire is only toward him. No other desire can take its place.
“Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deut 10:16).
Crucify the flesh. It has an insatiable desire to pull us away from our Lord. All other forces are external, and we can do battle with those. But how do you fight something within?
“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24).
The “flesh” is the old nature of sin that constantly pulls us away from God and his ways. Don’t fight it. Crucify it.
Renew, Circumcise, and crucify. There is no better way to deal with the world and the leanings of the heart.
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Fear, anger, guilt, frustration, and numerous other responses follow tragic events in our lives. Our response truly reveals who we are and what we value.
The turmoil you face within you and the struggles of daily life may seem to be strangling you. It’s too much to bear. What are you to make of your life when you face tragedy from every direction? How should you respond?
There was a man whose first response will amaze us. Here’s what he did: “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped (Job 1:20).
First, there was decisive action: “Then Job arose.” Don’t fall back in fear, and don’t give up on life. Get up. Move forward. Take action.
Second, Job acknowledged his loss. He “Tore his robe and shaved his head.” A healthy amount of grieving needs to be a part of our response to extreme tragedy. We need not grieve permanently. It needs to be only a season of grieving.
Third, he acknowledged God. Job “Fell on the ground and worshiped. He understood that God was his only hope.
Yes, our first response truly says a lot.
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One creates brilliant people who work hard and work smart. These are people who benefit themselves and their families. The other system creates leaders who create jobs and opportunities for many.
So, are leadership traits developed or inborn? Both. Some people portray a strong tenacity and confidence that is conducive to leadership. These people grow quickly in their leadership abilities and are recognized as leaders.
How are leaders created? Develop in young people the skill to think freely. It’s not good enough to memorize lots of data. Learn to figure out how and where that data can be used.
Another major key to leadership is the ability to accept people as they are and to help them to excel. They should be taught to never ignore the weak. Every person has a contribution to make. Focus on the strengths of every person and help them to develop in the areas of their weaknesses.
While a smart, hard working person will do well for themselves, leaders also benefit the people around them, and ultimately the society.
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