I cry out to you, God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me. (Job 30:20 NIV)

Have you ever felt alone in your suffering? No one gets it, and even God is silent.

Each night after my spinal fusion surgery was a repeat of the night before. I couldn’t get comfortable in bed, no matter how many pillows Timmy packed around me. The recliner helped at times, but often pain continued throughout the night. No answer to prayers came. No word or Scripture was heard. Hope faded like a late summer bloom, and peace vanished like steam off of a cup of hot chocolate. Pain replaced peace.

You’ve been there too. Meds aren’t helping. The heating pad or ice pack proves useless. Perhaps it’s mental anguish, which also accompanies physical suffering. You toss and turn, but sleep evades you. Relief refuses to come.

In all his sufferings, Job felt like you and me, sweet friend. We’re not alone in our feelings of abandonment.

In a matter of hours, Job lost everything: his children, his livestock, and his servants. Mrs. Job wasn’t much help. Then Job was covered in painful boils.

“Days of suffering grip me.” (Job 30:16b NIV). He also says, “night pierces my bones; my gnawing pains never rest.” (Job 30:17 NIV).  Can you relate to Job as much as I can? It helps to know I am not alone, and that may comfort you also. Someone else gets us.

“I am reduced to dust and ashes.” (Job 30:19b NIV). Will life ever return to normal? How much of this will end, and what will I have to live with? Seeing my ministry slip away brought on more hopelessness.

“Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness. The churning inside me never stops; days of suffering confront me. (Job 30:26-27 NIV)

Does this sound familiar, friend? Well, I have good news. Job survived. I survived, and you will survive too. Even when God is silent, He is still working in the background.

There’s someone else who knows how you feel besides Job and me. Jesus Christ experienced pain, suffering, rejection, and anguish on this earth. Although, He may be silent, He knows how you feel.

Can you hang on to that today? Can that be the light in your darkness? Hold on tight, because tonight, you may forget. Write it down so you’ll see it and recall it. Jesus knows. Jesus cares, and He is working on your behalf.

Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing what we endure. I thought of Your sufferings as I endured my own, but now I pray for the dear one reading this. Help my sister or brother. Relieve their pain. Pour out Your grace, mercy, and comfort. Lift their spirits. Let joy, peace, and hope return triumphantly. Heal in Your mighty name. I ask this in the sweet name of Jesus Christ. Amen.