So does God actually send us trouble, you might ask? After all, God is good and perfect, so how could anything other than goodness and perfection ever come from God? This is a fair enough assumption, although theologically flawed.
As I follow the news related to the current pandemic, I think of Job’s struggle in the Old Testament. Job, after losing his material wealth, his children, and his health, had an intriguing conversation with his wife.
His wife said to him,
“Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:9-10, NIV)
So does God actually send us trouble, you might ask? After all, God is good and perfect, so how could anything other than goodness and perfection ever come from God? This is a fair enough assumption, although theologically flawed.
Let us consider the COVID-19 health crisis. We are currently “social distancing” in much of the world to minimize human exposure to the coronavirus. As the access to testing has become more readily available, the cases of infection has been rapidly growing, particularly in densely populated areas where reports indicate that documented infections have tripled every three days for the past two weeks.
Let’s be assured that this pandemic, though frustrating and frightening, is not a punishment from God. Like so many of our natural disasters, this potentially deadly virus is yet another challenge we must battle on Earth. It may satisfy many to know the source of this virus, that knowledge seldom prevents a later version of a microscopic organism that causes the next crisis.
If you accept Job’s assertion that we must accept the good and trouble from God, can we find any solace in God presenting us with trouble for a good purpose? Allow me to interrupt your current grief with the proposition that there is growth inherent in every obstacle you face. For example, today we are trying to maintain our physical and mental health without our usual tools. We are forced to be more creative while addressing the distinctions between our needs versus our wants.
Rather than running in the gym, run in your neighborhood; or better yet, exercise with a YouTube guru. Rather than enjoying outside entertainment, pull out a deck of cards, board game or a book. The entire family can even cook something fun and easy together. And technology allows you to virtually interface to ward off the gloom associated with isolation.
I believe I see a pattern of human connectivity on a very fundamental level. You can ask several friends to exercise to an agreed-upon video and challenge each other to become more fit. You can spend that time you never usually have to play that board game with your child(ren); teaching important values and encouraging integrity in the process.
I am not minimizing our fears associated with this uncertainty, I am merely offering words of encouragement as we go forward, fiercely, and faithfully. We will certainly have our losses in today’s battle, but be assured; we will not lose the war.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10, NIV)
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