What A Whiner!

This morning I heard a familiar noise. It was the loud honk of the blue heron who fishes in the pond in our back yard every day. He’s the noisiest bird in the neighborhood. You can hear his honks throughout the day, and you know he’s out there even if you can’t see him. You can hear him inside your home with the windows and doors shut. I often go outside to see what he’s honking at. Sometimes, the fish he’s caught is too large to swallow. Other times, he’s defending his catch from another bird. And then at times, there’s no apparent reason for his noise…he’s just standing there, resting or cleaning himself. That bird is so comically loud! He loves to whine and carry on…he loves to hear himself.

In my recent study of the book of Job, I’ve realized how different this book is from any other in the Bible. It tells of Job’s great life and his prosperity. Then, Job is tested and looses it all…even his health. He is then visited by a few of his friends. At this point Job begins what seems to me like alot of whining. And, his friends are quick to judge him. Job also blames God for his problems.

I have to admit, at first I didn’t know how to take chapter after chapter of whining and false accusation. Then, I realized…don’t we all react this way?…isn’t this the normal human response to bad circumstances?

When bad comes your way, do you blame God or trust God? When someone around you has to endure hardship, do you automatically think the worst of them or do you pray for them and encourage them?

I’m praying God uses Job’s story in my life. I want to face life with an attitude that glorifies God in all…the good and the bad. I want to stand behind people who face trials…and hopefully people will stand behind me when trials come my way.