Trouble

Some people just seem to be magnets for trouble.

For misery does not come from the earth, nor does trouble sprout from the ground; but human beings are born to trouble just as sparks fly upward. - Job 5:6-7

In today's reading from the Book of Job, Eliphaz tells his friend that all of us are born to trouble.

It is not something that makes its way to some and not others.  It is as natural to us as breathing.

Now there is no doubt in my mind that some people can find themselves in more trouble than others.  Is that their own doing?  That certainly is not the case with Job.  He doesn't seem to do anything to get himself deeper in trouble, and yet it finds him.

If we see ourselves as victims of trouble, that it has a way of making its way to us, I think we may wind up inviting it. 

I know people like that.  They tempt fate, challenging those who would like to do them harm.

The advice Eliphaz gives is to call on God to help him.  Don't go it alone, but seek Him out, for He will rescue us from our troubles.

So, perhaps there are two messages here.  Not only do we need to be willing to ask God for help, but we should also try not to invite trouble through our actions and interactions with others.

Will that keep us out of trouble?  Probably not.  But we might get through it with fewer bumps and scratches.

More to come...