Weekly Devotion: When my heart longs for life pre-tragedy

By: Amber Palmer

How do we trust God in our suffering and rest in hope when our hearts long for life pre-tragedy?

In Job 27-31 we find Job continuing his response to his friends. These chapters are woven with passionate words defending his character, reminiscing of life before tragedy struck, and lamenting over his current circumstances. We can clearly see the stark contrast between the present and his past. We are brought into the depth of his pain and longing.

Job knows deep down he is innocent of the life he’s been dealt but he is also wondering why he’s experiencing so much suffering.

You might be wondering, how can we rest in hope as our hearts long for the life before tragedy struck?

“Now my life is poured out before me, and days of suffering have seized me.

Night pierces my bones, but my gnawing pains never rest.” –Job 30:16-17

Wrestling in his humanness, faith, and dissecting why he might deserve the heartbreak he was facing, Job is real and raw with his emotions. He doesn’t hold back nor does he try to pretend he is fine. 

Smack dab in the middle of his circumstances, Job is feeling alone as his friends seem to turn away from him, God is silent in it all, and he’s only been left with ruins. 

Job 30:16 describes Job as being all poured out. Whether it is referencing tears or a state of emotional collapse, he humbly shows us helplessness and vulnerability.

Centuries later, another innocent sufferer, Jesus, would echo this imagery.

In Isaiah 53:12, a prophetic picture of the Messiah says:

“…He poured out His life unto death…”

And in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays with deep anguish, so intense that He sweats drops of blood (Luke 22:44). He too would be seized by suffering, pierced through the night, and abandoned—even by those closest to Him.

Yet unlike Job, Jesus chose to be poured out—for us. Our suffering was on His heart then and is on His heart now.

Paul writes in Philippians 2:17:

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”

And in Philippians 2:8, we see:

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.”

But where Job sought answers, Jesus became the answer. He is the hope to our longing in the midst of our hardships

Maybe like Job you find yourself facing loss and wrestle with why.

Or maybe your soul feels poured out as you grieve and lament over life before the diagnosis and are longing for relief and a type of normalcy again.

Job 30:16 paints a picture many can relate to: seasons when suffering feels constant, when relief is nowhere in sight, and when even the night—which should bring rest—only magnifies the pain.

And yet, even in Job’s lament, there is a quiet kind of faith: he does not turn away from God, but directs his complaint to God. His honesty in prayer shows us that we are invited to bring our rawest pain to the Lord.

Jesus was poured out so that in our own seasons of sorrow, we would not be alone. He entered into our suffering so that we could find hope, even when the night pierces our bones and pain won’t rest. He knows suffering intimately and brings the comfort you need. And because He rose, you and your child’s suffering does not get the final word.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the depth of your love for us and that you care so deeply about our needs and suffering. Like Job, I feel completely poured out, weak as my days and nights gnaw at me relentlessly. Suffering seizes my heart and peace feels out of reach. But thank You, God, that You are not distant from pain. You sent Jesus—Your own Son—who was poured out completely, not just in suffering, but in love.He entered the dark night so I and my family would never suffer alone. Pour Your comfort into the places that hurt. Pour Your peace into the corners of my restlessness. And pour Your truths and faithfulness into the depths of my soul,so I may rise again with hope, trusting this is not the end of our story. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Dig Deeper into How to Navigate What is Ahead with Real Hope

Reflection Questions:

1. Do you feel free to bring your full, unfiltered emotions to God—like Job did?

2. How can you trust God in the longing for relief when He feels silent? What is one action you can take today to find rest in His faithfulness to redeem?

   
   

Put Your Faith Into Action:

The story of Job reminds us of the freedom to be honest in our suffering. He shows us what it looks like to wrestle with how we are feeling, lament over the state of our life, and to barely hang onto our faith. His story shows us God is there to listen and bring comfort in our time of need!

This week, we challenge you to journal daily how you are feeling in the midst of your challenging circumstances. Be open, honest, real, and raw. Don’t hold back. God can handle it all.

Further Reading:

1. Isaiah 53:12

2. Psalm 22:14

3. Luke 22:44

   
   

Verse to meditate on and memorize:

1. Psalm 62:8
   

   
   
   
   

Amber Palmer lives in a small farming town with her husband

of 16 years and recently dipped her toes into the wild water rapids of parenting two teens. She has a big heart for encouraging women to live from the deepest peace of Jesus. Through her writing, Amber guides her readers to keep their eyes locked on Jesus through the heartbreaking and beautiful moments life may bring. She knows His presence and peace makes all the difference!