A Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

I was familiar with the story of Job, but has anyone else ever avoided studying it because they thought it might mean God was preparing them for something horrible? 😂

But since all of God’s Word is profitable for “doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness,” (2 Tim. 3:16) we shouldn’t avoid the scary parts, right?

Job had everything—the perfect family, health, and wealth—everyone respected this godly man. And then, in one “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day,” he lost it ALL.

Literally…everything was gone—his wealth was destroyed or stolen; he tragically lost all ten of his children; he developed a loathsome disease of some sort (please let’s not even talk about the worms 😱); and he even lost the support and respect of his wife. Talk about a reason to feel rejected and abandoned!

Job’s faith was sincere—but it was largely based on what he understood about God’s justice and order. He believed good people should prosper and bad people should suffer. So when that system broke down, his world collapsed.

But while Job may have felt abandoned, he didn’t turn away from His God. He wrestled with Him, questioned Him, and even cried out—complaining and grieving. But Job never doubted Him.

And he never stopped communicating with God.

Even in the depths of despair—in ashes—he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15)

That kind of faith isn’t born on sunny days. It’s forged in the hurricane—in those overwhelming moments when you feel like you’re screaming, but the only thing that comes out is a stifled whisper no one can hear. When you feel like you did everything “right,” but it all falls apart anyway.

But in the end, God revealed Himself and His sovereignty in a way Job had never seen.

“I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.” (Job 42:5)

That’s the moment of revelation: Job finally grasped that God is sovereign, meaning He is completely in control—even when life looks wildly unfair.

And maybe that’s the hidden mercy in our suffering. Sometimes the pain that breaks us open becomes the doorway to seeing and knowing God more clearly – more intimately. Connection.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3)

“You are mine.” My favorite words.