second hand suffering ...

Last year I heard about second hand stress and connected with it. Just this week listening to the story of Job's wife and how she suffered from second hand suffering. These types of suffers suffer more than the one who is sick or in pain! I believe it.

Often the Bibles gives bare facts needed for the reader's journey. That is where mediatation helps you slow down and discover more. I never really like Job's wife until now. Job was an upstanding man and father in the community that is until Satan came into God's court spouting out that Job only loved God because He poured out blessing and favor upon Job. ''Oh, really?'' God said. ''Let Me show you how much Job loves Me. I will do as you say. I will take his blessings and gifts.'' God knew that Job would not renouce Him.

Ok, look at Job. There he is sitting in the town trash heap covered in ashes because his skin was itchy and on fire. All his cattle and his sons and daughters are dead. Job once a rich and wise man now is hardly a breath. His wife comes to him and says to curse God. Why would she say that? What I thought was lame I see as how she really cared about his suffering. She knew that if she couldn't take much more of his suffering, he must be reaching his breaking point. If he cursed God and said enough, Job would break the cycle of tribulation that rested upon him. Job being patient said, ''don't talk like the foolish women. Rember God's Faithfulness.'' There is nothing more said here about Job's wife. The story ends where he is blessed again with sons and daughters. Job's wife stuck around! Interesting!

So did she see Job's remark piercing her spirit ever fierce and gentle at the same time? Did they hug after this tiny discussion? Did they cry tears of pain laced with joy as they recounted the blessings given to them in their days together? I believe so...

Yet as I see Job's direct precision on his wife's pain for him, he stilled had to have God's ever direct precision within his own life. God's directive was much longer and stronger! God spoke out of a storm! Job's story is still a mystery... When you read what Job said you marvel that he was wrong to say these things... just more to meditate on...

and how much more humble I need to be... We know not what is going on in God's courts but we shall see all the annuals of heaven. I can't wait...

Back to second hand suffering... I believe good help meets struggle with this. What a story to really take in and live out...