Many of us were raised with an extremely judgmental view of God. We were told all the stories of God smiting this person dead and rebuking another with fierce anger. While God did do those things in some cases, they always followed warnings from God. God didn’t just wake up one morning and say, “Who am I going to smite today?”
I know some of you are already thinking I’m a compromiser and don’t believe in the full counsel of God. How quick we are to base an opinion on an isolated statement rather than receiving the full intention of a statement! I believe in God’s justice and judgment. He does punish sin. Now that this is clarified (at least for some😀)…
The book of Job really does give a good thought process relating to God and life’s difficulties. Job had it worse than most of us ever could. He lost everything but his wife who told him to “curse God and die”, his three “friends” had it all wrong, and he was left with a lot to process. Did you ever notice that God gives Job chapters and chapters to process and does not speak until the last few chapters of the book? Think about it.
God is gracious to allow us to process our pain and then speaks when we are in a place where we are ready to receive. Beware of those who “have the answer”. They will be quick to come along with their bandaid sayings and verses. While they may mean well (or not), let God speak into your life as you process. You’ll find that God isn’t always the mean guy in the sky. He does have to punish sin, but He also rewards right and heals the broken-hearted. Let Him heal you today!
Honest Thoughts from a Pastor 
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