No Filter Prayers
February 9, 2022·Rebecca Rodriguez
The Book of Job holds a special place in my heart, because it doesn’t shy away from the struggle and pain we experience in life. Topics like loss, death, sickness, sorrow, mourning, and even depression, are addressed in this poetic book.
If you’ve ever lost someone you love and been in a season of mourning. If you’ve ever had a physical ailment, sickness, or disease. If you’ve struggled with grief or inexplicable depression. You’re in good company. Job was there once. I was there once. And many others have been also.
Job suffered a lot in his life and, even though he questioned why he lost his possessions, children, and health, he still maintained his integrity and refused to curse God. We stand to learn a lot from Job! How do you lose it all? How do you mourn? Suffer with depression and lose your desire to live, but still honor God?
In Job 23, we are invited to a sincere conversation. Job says, “My complaint today is still a bitter one, and I try hard not to groan aloud. If only I knew where to find God” (Job 23:2-3a).
He goes on to say, “I go east, but He is not there. I go west, but I cannot find Him. I do not see Him in the north, for He is hidden. I look to the south, but He is concealed. But He knows where I am going. And when He tests me, I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:8-10).
Perhaps you’ve felt like Job. You’ve suffered and wondered, “Where is God in all this? Where is God in my pain?!” You might feel like you can’t find God, but rest assured, He’s found you. He knows exactly where you are! He not only knows the physical, but also the emotional state you’re in, and He meets you right there!
I want to encourage you today, friend. After these tumultuous and challenging years of Covid, of sickness, and death, you can easily find yourself relating and identifying with Job’s pain. I challenge you to also learn from his faith.
Invite God into your pain. Approach Him sincerely, honestly, and with absolutely no filter, like Job did! Process all of it with Him. The good, bad, and the ugly. Nothing is off limits. Go ahead, talk to your Father in heaven! He wants to hear what is ailing you. He cares about every detail of your life.
Remember the promise we read in Revelation 21:4 that says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
The season of mourning is just that, a season, and it too shall pass. I will be praying for you and blessing you. Asking God that He will grant you strength and peace in the struggle, so you can have the faith of Job when he said, “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” (Job 2:10b).
After this test, may you come out “as pure as gold” (Job 23:10).
Rebecca Rodriguez
