“And now my soul is poured outwithin me; Days of misery have seized me.
At night it pierces my bones within me, And my gnawing pains do not rest.
By a great force my garment is distorted; It ties me up like the collar of my coat.
He has thrown me into the mire, And I have become like dust and ashes.
I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer me;
I stand up, and You turn Your attention against me.
You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You persecute me.
You lift me up to the wind and make me ride it;
And You dissolve me in a storm.
For I know that You will bring me to death,
And to the house of meeting for all living.

-- Job 30: 16 – 23

Reflection
When hard times come into our lives—illness, loss of loved ones, loss of necessities—we feel frightened, confused, even panicky, and then…anger sets in. We begin to question how God, whom we are taught is good, forgiving and just can allow this to happen to us. During the current pandemic, we ask how can God do this to mankind? We begin to feel crushed into dust, annihilated! We begin to question ourselves—what did we do wrong, didn’t we pray enough, ask forgiveness for our wrongs? We complain and question God in our prayers. We often hear no answer. Should we just give up?

Then we read on to the end of Job. God answers Job saying we cannot fathom the power and wonder of Him who has created all things and all wonders. Then Job repents and worships God again.

How can we maintain our faith, trust, and hope during these times? Each of us must find a way. We can continue to pray, attend worship, and talk with friends or family who can help us be steadfast and patient. We can search for Bible passages that strengthen our resolve. We can look for good things to be grateful for. We can look back at history and see that hard times pass and find ways to help that happen more quickly. We cannot know everything, but we know we must never give up!

--Flo Van Cara Sheap

Questions
Have you ever experienced a dark night of the soul? Were there glimpses of light in the midst of it? How did it impact your faith? Your understanding of the character of God?

Take a few minutes to pray for those who may be feeling ground to dust this day. If you are feeling ground to dust this day, and can muster no words of prayer read aloud Psalm 23.

Prayer
Gracious God when we cry to you and feel as if you do not hear us, grant us a tangible reminder of your promise to never leave us alone. When the night has past and we see the coming dawn, help us to bear the light of Christ to those who still sit in darkness until we all shout alleluias on Easter morning. Amen.