31: At What Point Should God Push Us?

Chapter Nine is Job's response to Bildad, which seems a little forced. He basically says that he knows that he cannot argue with God. He acknowledges God's almighty power and understands the separation between God and himself.

However, he says some interesting things, such as he says he would argue with God if he could. I like that. I like that a lot. But, of course, he can't argue with God because God does not answer. And even if He could, God would not listen to our complaints. "Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing. He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason." Nice God. So if we call your name, like the Third Day song implies, You would crush us and make our suffering worse. To me, Job has gotten to the point where he begins thinking suicidal thoughts. He constantly says that he despises his life and wishes he was dead. I guess Job isn't a champion of God after all. I guess having all that 'stuff' really helped him become a Christian. I'm not saying that I'm better than Job. Hell, if Christianity promised me riches and material things I would be more devoted than I am now. Yes, I'm selfish. But at this point, I know that everyone is selfish too.

So my question is at what point should God push us or challenge us? I've heard people say that God will never give us more than we can handle, but what about the psychological damage He can do by bringing us to the brink of despair. He allowed his best Christian soldier to experience turmoil and heartache just for some silly bet. Job now is cursing the day he was ever born. That doesn't sound very Christian to me.

In my life, I think that the Oregon experience gave me some direction, but what about the damage it caused, the side effects that will stay with me forever. Were those planned by God? In no way is depression and suicidal thoughts ever a good thing. So why would God bring us to that point? I just don't get Him and His ways. I'm all for being pushed to my limits, but to say that if something doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger is foolish. Just ask all those people who did die because they were pushed to the limit.

This mentality only needs to fail once.