When Work Hurts: Finding Hope and Purpose When Suffering on the JobSample

Day 5

"Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you." - 2 Timothy 3:17 (TPT)

There is no Christian who has suffered more for his faith than Apostle Paul. But let’s not forget Paul’s past. Before his conversion, Paul was a career persecutor of Christians. That was his nine-to-five gig. Yet Paul is documented as being one of the greatest Christians of the New Testament.

Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t smite the very persecutors you face? I’m sure of the Christians Paul persecuted, someone was praying for God to deliver them from their enemy. I’m sure someone was begging to be spared of Paul’s unjust treatment of Christians.

And God answered it. Didn’t He?

The problem often lies in the fact that we don’t want our enemies delivered. We want them to hurt because they’ve hurt us. We want them to pay for their wrongs.

Jonah was a lot like many of us. God told him to preach a message of doom to the people of Nineveh. Jonah has a feeling God would forgive the people if he delivered that message, and if the truth be told, Jonah would rather see those people perish than run the risk they would turn from their ways to honor God.

When you have a terrible boss, a nagging coworker, and a job full of unbelievers who are unrepentant and unashamed, it can be very difficult not to wish peril. But God reminds us that He loves His creation. He loved us all so very much that Jesus came to die for the world’s sin.

It’s hard to believe people persecuting us deserve grace. It’s even harder not to wish them peril. But God has called us to be like Christ. Love like He loves. Forgive as He forgives. Extend grace to receive grace. After all, you are likely the only representation of Christ they may see.

Prayer:

Lord, I’m reminded that you came to save the lost. As a believer, it is my responsibility to want to see the sick healed. Help me to see people as you do. When I’m being persecuted, help me to remember my enemy is also your creation. Forgive me for wishing peril, and protect me as I weather their torture upon me. I trust Your hand to rest upon my life that no danger may befall me. In Jesus' name, amen.