Job 6:1-13 When You Can't Go On

Observation: After losing his property, his family and his health, Job responds to his friends' platitudes--that he must have done something wrong to deserve all this--by basically asking to be put out of his misery. His pain is too great and he can't go on.

Application: I talked with a local nursing student yesterday about what our community, and specifically our congregation, can do about suicide prevention. It's a pretty daunting problem, especially in a rural area where it takes some doing to get connected with mental health resources. Once thing I shared was that worshiping communities can be a place where folks can get to know one another, and check in when we haven't seen someone in a while, or they haven't been acting themselves lately. 

There are a lot of Biblical examples of people suffering from severe depression. Job, King Saul, Elijah, Jonah and many others at some point felt the pain of life was too much to bear. Knowing that others have struggled with the same thing we're struggling with can be helpful, and possibly help us feel less isolated. Still, at the end of the day, depression is a disease. You wouldn't tell someone to "think positive" to cure a broken arm, or "just go on a hike" to cure diabetes, and yet people often minimize the effects of depression, rather than really listen to those who suffer from it, and support whatever steps they need to take to get better. 

What I'm taking away from this Job text today is that there is some pain you can't think, pray, or "believe" your way out of. It doesn't mean you're weak. It doesn't mean you're not a good, faithful person. It means you nede some help, like we all do in different ways. You are a beloved child of God, even when you can't feel it. I pray that wherever this post finds you, that you can find someone to remind you of that: to listen and pray with you, and help you get connected with the right resources. If you have my contact information or we are connected on Facebook, I am more than willing to be that person. 

If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255.

Prayer: God, today, I pray for those, like Job, who are feeling unable to go on with life. Send them the people and resources they need. Support them in the midst of this tough time. And remind them always of your love which endures forever. Amen.