How do we trust God when a trial seems to swallow us whole? Some turn to clichés: "Oh, it will all work out..." or, "Remember God works all things together for good." But deep inside we feel like we are drowning. First, there are no easy answers or one verse quick fixes. Many have turned to Job to see how to deal with difficulties and suffering. But, as Philip Yance points out, "The point of Job is not suffering, but faith." However, there is a lesson there: Someone once said, "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities, brilliantly disguised as unsolved problems." Whether you're in a Job situation of loss: loss of job, marriage, money, good luck, control...or you're like the disciples on a boat in the middle of the sea and the storms are raging out of control. And you feel like screaming, "Where in the world is God right now?" Stop, and try to remember it is in times like these when faith is at its hardest to come by is when it is most needed. It was Job's faith in God which silenced Satan and God rewarded Job's faithfulness. Second, focus on what God has already done in the past and hold tight to Him while He does even greater things in the present. "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips." (Job 2:10) On the other side of this, after you have endured, you will have grown stronger and deeper in your faith and relationship with the Lord and in your witness to others. (After all, how many are still referencing ol' Job today?)

Dr. William Burnham is a pastor at Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.