Job 23:16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
Job's sufferings are unequalled. How he could endure with patience the load that the Lord allowed in his life is beyond comprehension.
There are dozens of nuggets of wisdom that pour forth from this poor man's situation. Most were in answer to foolish barbs hurled his way by less than faithful friends and his foolish spouse.
One such nugget, rich with the gold of godly wisdom is this verse that gives us some insight as to why good people must suffer. We are sometimes troubled to soften our hearts.
The previous chapter has one of Job's "friends" accusing him of being less than kind and helpful to the poor, the widow, orphans and the needy. I am somewhat suspicious of this accusation, seeing as how God deemed Job as perfect and upright. Never the less, Job took it personally and softens his heart anyway.
We join in to that fellowship of suffering with Job, and with Jesus (Phil 3:10), for many reasons, known to God, if not to us.
But the softening of the heart is one great benefit of setbacks and heartbreaks. Are you in the midst of difficulties even now? Allow the Lord to soften your heart towards Him and others so that your pain will not be wasted.
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