Job, the NICU and Hard Times
I remember the day my daughter was born. She came out with a head full of hair, a month earlier than expected but as healthy as any early baby can be. My husband and I were instantly in love. Her little fingers and toes, the pink of her cheeks. To us, all of her was perfect.
However, despite our unending love for our sweet girl, she had been born at eight months instead of nine and was required to stay in the NICU for help with breathing and feeding. Thankfully, it was the lowest level of Neonatal Intensive Care, but it did not change the fact our little baby was in the hospital while we sat at home, fretting over her wellness and trying to cope with the situation we found ourselves in.
When your baby is in the NICU, your dad in the hospital, your husband in a car accident, it is easy to ask: Where are you, Jesus? It can be a lonely and bitter time, where resentments you may not have even realized you had towards God begin to show their face and the shadows inside you come to the light. Where are you, God? Why isn’t the Holy Spirit moving to heal my loved one? Why do I feel alone in these struggles?
In the Bible, Job faces a similar situation. Left alone after the death of his children (along with the loss of his health and possessions), he has only his wife who tells him “Curse God and die.” (Job 2:9). He is deep in mourning and certainly feels without hope. What’s more, friends visit him to remind him that he must have sinned horribly for God to punish him so!
But, after all his friends have spoken, God comes to Job “"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have an understanding." (Job 38:4). Job is reminded by the Lord that he is a magnificent, miracle-working God, full of wisdom even when we can’t understand his ways. He is a God of goodness and of love, despite our circumstances. Why do we suffer? God, at least in the book of Job, doesn’t say. But, we are reminded that we are never alone in our suffering.
After three weeks, my beautiful daughter finally came home. We were overjoyed. I know this is not how every story ends: with joy and thanksgiving. Although God gave Job many more children, the children Job had lost could not be replaced and were likely not forgotten by their father. But, we are promised a better world. The Gospel brings us the good news: Christ has come. Christ will come again. Take heart, for one day all will be right in the world.
Prayer for Hard Times
Lord, None of us can escape the suffering of life. To be human is to know suffering. As we suffer, you call on us to call on you. We do not have to suffer alone. Help us to lean into those around us and lean into the healing, comforting arms of Christ. May we find comfort in knowing Christ will return, and goodness will be renewed. We are never without hope. Amen.
