Clinging On

     Despair and depression are two states of being that can be all consuming.  Like it or not, our feelings do affect our perspective of the world around us.  Some people just don't seem to let the negative of the world get to them.  Other people have seen or experienced some of the worst aspects of life and it can take time for the soul to heal.  We are all different and have different experiences.

    Job was feeling despair.  He literally had Satan attack his body.  Satan killed his income and family.  His wife had turned against him.  His friends were attacking him like he was some kind of monster.  He had lost the respect of his community.  If anyone had the right to be depressed, it was Job.  Yet he was attacked for his feelings.  Society, especially Christian society, can look down on people who suffer from depression or despair because they view it as you not having enough faith or strong enough relationship with God.  I am here to tell you they are wrong.

    Job was in a state of despair, but he still clung to God.  Through it all he loved God and was loyal to Him.  Job clung to his own integrity and righteousness.  These are the things that Satan could not steal from Job.  If could have, he would have.  It is what Job clung onto so that he did not loss it and give up.  He was clinging on to those facts for his very life and discovering great wisdom for us to use.

    Job turned the table on his friends.  He accused them of acting wickedly with their preemptive judging.  People are fragile.  Even the people you view as strong may be just holding on.  We need to treat each other with care instead of judgment.  We all have the power to speak life or destruction into people.  Our words can destroy a person or lift them up from a bad mental place.  We need to think before we speak.

Job 27