Seeing the big picture

“He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason.” Job 9:17
Many people have a view of God as a cosmic tyrant, reluctant to forgive or bless us, but more than ready to strike us down for the slightest transgression. They think He is just waiting for any excuse to punish us. But this is not God’s character at all – in fact, He is the opposite: slow to anger and rich in love (Ps. 145:8).
God never does something ‘for no reason’. He doesn’t act to spite anyone. He knows all things, and He has a purpose for everything and everyone – both collectively and individually. He always has the big picture in mind when determining His will for each of us. Maybe He wants to use you to bring comfort to others. To do so, this requires us to experience the comfort of God – which doesn’t happen to the same extent when everything in life goes smoothly. Rather, through facing trials, we are made stronger and given a different perspective on them, so that we are able to comfort others. I am sure this happened for Job, eventually. Of course it is hard to see the bigger picture when we are in the middle of a difficult situation. That’s why the Bible encourages us to trust in the Lord, who does know all things and is in control of all things.