Hyperbole of Suffering
A palliative care physician looks at the book of job
Hyperbole of Suffering
a palliative care physician looks at the book of job
20 Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from thy face:
21 withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not dread of thee terrify me.
22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and do thou reply to me.
23 How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.
Job 13:20-23
In Job 13:20, Job states in his prayer he is hiding his face from the Lord.
We usually think that during suffering God hides His face from us!
But think about it for a minute.
When you are depressed or despondent, do you spend more fruitful time in prayer, meditation, and devotion or less?
When you are fighting pain, do you spend more time or less time seeking God’s face?
Or is the time in meditation spent presenting your request as opposed to your seeking His face.
Maybe we are, consciously or unconsciously, hiding our face from God...
Job 13:21 states it plainly…..
Here in lies the heart truth behind our fear of suffering and death.
When pain or illness comes, the deepest question is always, what does it mean?
Does it mean suffering?
Does it mean I am dying?
What can I expect as an outcome?
These unknowns can terrify us.
That is why we make a beeline to the doctor so we can find some answers to these questions.
Job 13:22
Whether God initiates showing Himself or Job initiates the communication, does not matter.
Just as long as contact is made.
Job states he will answer if God initiates as opposed to him just ignoring God.
He also asks that God return the favour and connect with him when he seeks God’s face.
How true this is.
Many who are suffering just want the presence of God manifest to them. They don’t care how it comes.
It is just the time and process of getting there that is convoluted and distressing. In a word — suffering.
The title of this blog is also the title of my recent book published on Amazon.ca. It is available as Kindle ebook, or paperback. If you are interested in reading more, you can click on this link to find it. Or search for the title on the Amazon.ca webpage.
Blessings.