Like Job

     "He's gone through so much, it reminds me of Job."  Ever hear anyone say that?  Seems that phrase, or something like it, is often said when someone has gone through a lot of heartache or loss.  But that doesn't mean they are like Job.
     Losing a loved one, a marriage falling apart, car repossessed, mortgage foreclosed or a job lost.  The list can go on and on.  Life can throw us all kinds of horrible things that just don't seems fair.  But still, none of these things allow us to be compared to Job.
     Job was a righteous man.  He set the standard in every category.  He lead his family spiritually.  Ten kids and they all got along well.  They spent time together.  He had a good marriage.  He was respected by all. 
     Most important though, Job gave God the best parts of his life.  He knew he was nothing without God.  So that made him a target.  He had just the attitude that the devil didn't like.  Interesting......the devil just knew Job would fall in just the right circumstances.  But God knew Job for real.  He knew what Job was made of.  And He even bragged about Job!
     God allowed satan to attack Job in almost every way, knowing what Job's reaction would be.  Now that part of Job's life is where people get confused.  They think, when they see someone going through stuff, it's just like Job.  But it's not.  To be like Job means that your life had to be so godly in the first place that the only reason you are going through these things is for God to be glorified and to prove that you are real in your faith.
     Too many times we feel sorry for ourselves.  We allow others to feel sorry for us.  We listen to their advise and things get worse.  And no.  That's not like Job at all. 
     So what is it like to really be like Job?   To be like Job means to live a righteous life no matter what.  Job was a righteous man when he had everything.  He remained a righteous man when he lost everything and was covered in painful sores from head to toe.  He never one time gave up on God. And God doubly blessed him for his faithfulness.
     How often do we argue with God when things don't go as planned?  We tend to blame Him when the least little thing happens.  Christians today seem to think everything should be sunshine and roses all day long every day.  But there can be no growth without troubles. 
     Attitude.  So much of what we go through and how things turn out depend on our attitude.  Job's attitude towards God never changed.  If anything, his faith grew stronger.  Now that is a way we could all strive to be more like Job.  In attitude.  In faith. 
     So, to really be like Job is not to have a life of catastrophes.  But to have a life of faith.  No matter what we are going through. 
     Do you know Him?  Would you like to?  I would love to introduce you.