As a servant earnestly longs for the shade and the evening shadows, and as a hireling who looks for the reward of his work, – Job 7:2, Amplified Bible (AMP)

In the midst of a long, hard workday, it is easy to get beaten down by the weight of duty. In the midst of carrying such weight, the worker can take comfort in the fact that, in just a few hours, there will be a respite from the work and rest can be had.

In Chapter 7, Job likened his horrible situation to that of the burdened worker. Like the burdened worker, he sought relief from the weight he bore. Unlike the burdened worker, however, Job couldn’t count on rest coming within a few hours. He had already suffered through months of emotional and physical anguish, and there was no end in sight. He was in despair of his life, and he was ready to die to escape the burden.

No doubt, there are circumstances in life that can make death very inviting. But, until God decides to visit us with death, we have to choose how to view any horrible circumstances that come our way. One such view is to think of ourselves as a hireling who looks for the reward of his work.

We are God’s workers, and as His workers our duty is to be used of Him in ANY way He sees fit to bring souls closer to Him. Certainly, we ourselves can learn to draw closer to Him through our trials, but the real power in our suffering comes when we draw others to Christ by facing our trials with the character of Christ. When in the midst of a trial that would drive the natural mind insane, the Christ-centered mind can speak in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, prompting others to ask, “How do you do that?”

Through his suffering, Job had his own character improved. More importantly, though, God has used him for thousands of years to build the character of billions of other people. Had Job been able to catch a small glimpse of the magnitude of influence his sufferings would have on the world, I believe his sufferings might have been a little bit easier for him to bear.

When difficulty comes, ask Christ to give you a glimpse of how He wants to use your sufferings to draw others closer to Himself.  Then, ask Him to help you carry the burden until the appointed time when you can lay the burden down and receive the reward of rest your heart desires. If you try to carry the burden all by yourself, you will buckle under the weight of it. But if you cast your care upon Christ, then you’ll be able to face your struggles with a Christ-like attitude, and others will find Christ through the work of suffering God has ordained for you to bear.

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