We are in a chapter in our lives where we have a specific issue arising in our family, and are hoping for answers, but they just aren’t coming at this point. We consult experts, we pray, we search, we seek advice, but no answers yet. They haven’t come. Sure, experts and wanna-be experts speculate, but speculation doesn’t help nor cure.

Even the most spiritually mature struggle in this area. Questions arise as to how matters came to this point. It’s here I think of Job.

Though Job did all he was supposed to do, trials arose when his possessions, his family, and his health left him (Job 1-2). We know the reasons why: Satan sought to take away God’s primacy in Job’s heart by asking God to allow these devastations to happen. Yes, God established limits as far as taking Job’s life, but God not only allowed Satan to take his family and possessions and health, but to keep his wife and his friends around.

You see, his wife thought Job would be better off dead that to go through these issues: “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Job did. “But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil/disaster?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10). The recognition of God’s sovereignty over all things must extend to, well, all things.

His friends served him no better. Now, for seven days, they done good (as my friends used to say) by just being with him. Job, feeling comfortable in telling them exactly what was on his mind, unloaded. He wished he had never been born (3:3-10). He laments that the wicked flourish, therefore why does he (Job 3:17-18). Basically, he is asking God, “Are you just? Where are you?”

This sets off a flurry from his friends, who spend the rest of the time trying to defend the goodness and the righteousness of God, and as a result, for Job to repent of sins he committed. Until he does, he will find no relief.

I’m reading Job in a whole new light right now and see the following:

• Our ease in life does not equal God’s favor on my life; conversely, our discomfort and affliction in this life does not mean God’s favor is removed.
• Friends and those close to us should not feel that their job is to ultimately find the solution or understand God’s plan. Sometimes, just keeping our ears open and our mouths shut is the very best way to show friendship.
• We cannot discount the fact that there is another level of existence that we cannot see. Job, Daniel, and the book of Revelation show us that other drama in the spiritual realm is being enacted.
• We must realize that when the answers do not come, we must cling to Christ more, not less.

And yet, another level of understanding what it means that Jesus is enough. This does not mean that He will keep trials from happening. But He will be with us always and strengthen us during the trials.

One person one said, “You don’t realize Jesus is all there is until Jesus is all you have.”

I know Jesus is enough, even when my heart aches and hurts to the degree it does right now. Contrary to what some may say, my best life will never be now in the best of circumstances–but my best life is in the life to come when all sorrows, tears, and pain will go (Revelation 21:4).

But He is enough.

He must be!