When Life‘s Screwed You Over

JAN 16 / Sunday – Read Job 1-42 (select verses) / Jeremiah 29:11 / Joshua 1:9

Overview: The Chance #2022 message series considers how God repeatedly gives us more than just a second chance when we screw up.

17 / Mon – Why?  |  Read Job 1:8, 20-22 / Job 2:10 / Job 23:8-12 / Job 42:1-5

Life can knock a person down. Just ask Job. His story is challenging to read because its theme of suffering, without knowing why, can hit too close to home. If this happened to a godly man like Job, it could happen to anyone. That is an uncomfortable thought. What kept Job from bitterly rejecting God in his pain and confusion? Look for clues in the verses above. What keeps you from giving up on God when you experience deep suffering through no fault of your own?

18 / Tue – Who?  |  Read Psalm 34:8 / Psalm 86:5 / Psalm 100:5 / Psalm 145:9 / Psalm 69:13-18

There is one thing that can keep you steady when you see no end to what you are going through. It is knowing the character of God. Who is this Person that created you? What are His attributes? Can you trust Him? The psalm writers repeatedly proclaim that He is good, that He loves deeply and has compassion on all He has made. When you don’t know what else to do, pour out your heart to Him. What Psalms have helped you find the words to pray or encouraged you? Learn them well.

19 / Wed – Hope for the future  |  Read Jeremiah 29:11

Another anchor for your soul during difficult times is the fact that God has good plans for you. There is a future when life will be good again. It might look differently than it was before. You may be different because of what you’ve gone through. But it will be good because God is good and His love for you endures forever. Forever. In spite of all you are facing right now, what can you do to cement these truths in your heart?

20 / Thu – No end in sight?  |  Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Things don’t always resolve as quickly as we want them to. Paul begged for relief from something that seemed almost too much to bear. He heard “no” each time. If this has been your experience, let God’s reason to Paul encourage you. His grace is sufficient to help you persevere. You are precious to the Lord. He will not let this thing last one second beyond what is needed. In the meantime, His strength is showcased in your weakness. Are you willing to submit to His wise ways?

21 / Fri – Never forever  |  Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 / Revelation 21:4

Suffering can be physical but it may also be mental or emotional pain. It can be caused by other people. It may be things that happen over which you have no control. You might be going through something right now. If so, it is important to remember that nothing, nothing, lasts forever. There are seasons of difficulty and pain but God promises a time when everything will be made right. All tears and sorrow will disappear. And that will be permanent. How does this give you hope?

22 / Sat – Job’s comforters  |  Read Job 2:11-13

Job’s friends started out with the right idea. But when Job began to declare his innocence, their attitude turned from comforting to judging. Trying to ‘defend’ God, they assumed Job had brought this suffering on himself. Have you experienced these kinds of friends? What would you do or say differently if your positions were reversed? What are some ways a person can be a good friend to one who is suffering?