Life in Its Totality

When is it appropriate to worship God? Just when the skies are blue, and everything seems to be working out? When we are popular and successful? Some people have this attitude. And some stop believing when things don’t develop as they hoped.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus said that some people respond to the Word but have no deep roots. They endure for “only a while,” until they experience tribulation or persecution. Others, trapped by “the cares of this world,” are deceived and become unfruitful (Matthew 13:20-23).

Job’s wife seems to have reacted like one of these people. She seemingly went along with Job as long as they prospered. But when he went through difficulties, she urged him to “curse God and die.”

Paul knew what it was like to experience success but also problems. He had been imprisoned and beaten, stoned and shipwrecked. He faced perils and sleepless nights. It would have been easy to be discouraged and give up. But Paul realized that God had a purpose for everything in his life (2 Corinthians 11:22-33).

From the perspective of a Roman prison, Paul would write, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). He realized that some things were more important than worldly success. He needed to learn “to be content” in every situation (Philippians 4:11).

Job, too, was learning why he could not just “curse God and die.” He knew what it was like to suffer but would not curse God or give up hope. He continued to believe, even when he went through adversity.

Reading the entire account of Job’s life helps us realize why we must never give up, or deny God, no matter what happens. We must continue to believe in Him, and trust Him in every situation.