ANOTHER MOTHER’S SUFFERING

Consider the mother of Job's children. She lost all her children in one day and encouraged her husband to curse God and die. Maybe she hoped God would remove her also from her suffering as she watched a supernatural outpouring of calamity fall upon Job and herself. Her husband was sitting in a pile of ashes covered in boils, scraping his skin for relief from his pain. Her witness was too much suffering, not just for him but also for her. "Please, Job, curse God and die," she pleaded, "maybe then we would both be freed from this suffering."

I have asked God to take me home during times of suffering. While I reflect on this woman and her witness to far greater suffering than I have ever endured, I remember asking God to relieve me of my trials that are too much to bear and too heavy to carry. "Lord, please relieve me of this suffering and take me home." But Job encouraged me today to praise God and let Him take me through the suffering. "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" (Job 2:10). Praise God for the good and bad times He allows me to go through. He will enable me to live another day and see His hand of grace pull me through.

I am still experiencing the fiery heat of trials, but I have not finished learning all God wants me to know about His mercy and grace. So today, I will praise you, Jesus, for this trial that reveals your strength, protection, purpose, and grace, not only in my life but also in this world.

"Curse God and die" – I will not! Praise His name forever will be my last song!

"You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!" (Psalm 30:11-12).

Dear Wondrous Women of God, if you are in a fiery trial and need further encouragement, turn to God's word and watch Him turn your mourning into dancing:

• "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4)

• "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)

• "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect I n weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

• "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

If this blesses you and you know someone in a trial, please share this encouraging word with them.