Suffering has a way of showing up uninvited, doesn’t it? It barges in, rearranges everything, and leaves us staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., wondering what on earth just happened. Job knew this feeling all too well. He was the ancient world’s poster child for “when it rains, it pours.” But more importantly, Job became the blueprint for holding onto faith when everything else falls apart. I believe strongly that we can learn a lot from Job – but they aren’t easy lessons and many of them require a whole lot of faith.

Perseverance: Sticking It Out When the Going Gets Tough

When Job’s world collapsed, it didn’t crumble—it imploded. He lost his children, his wealth, and even his health. As if that wasn’t enough, his friends turned into amateur theologians with terrible advice. Yet Job didn’t give up.

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job 1:21 (NASB)

Perseverance, in Job’s case, wasn’t about gritting his teeth and pretending everything was fine. It was about acknowledging the pain, wrestling with his confusion, and still holding on to God. James later pointed to Job as a masterclass in endurance:

“You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”
James 5:11 (NASB)

Job’s story reminds us that perseverance isn’t passive, it’s an intentional act. In Job’s case it was an intentional act of faith and strength.

Trust: Believing Without All the Answers

Let’s be honest—Job wanted answers, and who wouldn’t? He demanded an audience with God to figure out why his life had gone sideways. But when God finally showed up, He didn’t hand Job a neat list of reasons. Instead, He asked a flurry of questions that spotlighted His power and sovereignty:

“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.”
Job 38:4 (NASB)

In the end, Job didn’t get the answers he thought he needed. What he got was a bigger view of God. And that was enough.

Trust, then, isn’t about having all the pieces of the puzzle. It’s about believing that the One who holds the puzzle knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t.

The Bible’s Big-Picture View of Sovereignty

The story of Job paints God as the ultimate authority over all things—even over the actions of Satan. The idea that God allows Satan limited access to Job emphasizes a recurring biblical theme: nothing happens outside of God’s control. Let’s expand on this with scripture and insights from scholars.

Biblical Context and Supporting Passages

Isaiah 46:9–10 (NASB):

“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My plan will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”
Isaiah 46:9–10 (NASB)

This passage demonstrates God’s sovereign ability to declare outcomes long before they unfold. It underscores His omnipotence and control over history.

Proverbs 16:9 (NASB):

“The mind of a person plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NASB)

The decisions that humans make are revealed to exist within the framework of the ultimate plan that God has for the world. His counsel is even responsible for the operation of our free will.

Romans 8:28 (NASB):

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (NASB)

Romans is one of my favorite reads in the bible, and here Paul gives the faithful reassurance that when life is being hard, God is at work with us – every detail is part of a larger program that leads us to salvation.

Theological Perspectives on God’s Sovereignty

John Calvin (Reformation theologian):

Calvin highlighted God’s sovereignty as the foundation of His providence. He wrote in Institutes of the Christian Religion:

“All events are governed by God’s secret plan… His providence does not merely permit things to happen but actually wills them.”

Calvin saw Job’s suffering as a test within God’s divine will, meant to refine Job’s faith and bring glory to God.

C.S. Lewis (Modern apologist):

In The Problem of Pain, Lewis wrestled with suffering and sovereignty, noting:

“The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluble so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word ‘love,’ and look on things as if man were the center of them.”

Lewis viewed God’s sovereignty as part of a larger tapestry, with human suffering being just one thread in the divine plan.

N.T. Wright (Contemporary theologian):

Wright, in Evil and the Justice of God, emphasizes the biblical narrative of God’s sovereignty as the overarching story of restoration:

“God remains sovereign even over evil, and His purposes for good will ultimately prevail.”

He frames Job’s story as an example of God’s ultimate victory over chaos and evil.

Practical Implications of Sovereignty

Trusting in the Bigger Picture:

Like Job, believers are called to trust God’s plan, even when life feels unmanageable. Sovereignty means nothing is arbitrary—every trial serves a purpose, even if it’s hidden.

Responding in Faith:

Job’s famous declaration in Job 1:21 shows his faith in God’s sovereignty:

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job 1:21 (NASB)

This response invites modern Christians to worship even in suffering.

Hope in Restoration:

Job’s story ends with restoration, echoing God’s promises in Revelation 21:4:

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 (NASB)

God’s sovereignty assures believers that all suffering will ultimately be redeemed, what we go through today is part of our journey to come closer to Him. I like to think of it along the lines of thinking that if I don’t go through this today, then I can’t get through tomorrow.

Practical Takeaways for Today

• Acknowledge your pain: Job didn’t sugarcoat his suffering, and neither should you. God isn’t afraid of your honesty.
• Cling to what you know: Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25 (NASB)). Even in the fog of suffering, he held on to this truth.
• Remember God’s character: Job’s story ends with restoration, but it also shows us that God’s mercy and compassion are constant, even when life isn’t.

Conclusion: Job’s Faith in Action

Job’s faith during suffering wasn’t about understanding everything or feeling okay all the time. It was about persevering when life hurt, trusting when answers were absent, and resting in God’s sovereignty when everything else felt chaotic.

So, when suffering barges into your life, remember Job. Remember his tears, his questions, and ultimately, his unshakable faith in a God who sees the bigger picture.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright ©, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org