Setbacks in our lives can take the joy out of living. Our faith is weakened, and if we collect enough hurts it will stop us from wanting to press forward.
Look at Job. A man whom the Bible calls blameless, upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil.
Job had seven sons and three daughters — a beautiful family. He was considered “the greatest of all the men of the east.” Yet Satan attacked Job and he lost it all in 24 hours. He lost his health, wealth, and all of his children. He was knocked down but not out.
When calamity came he chose to worship God!
He said in Job 1:21-22, “‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked will I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ In all this Job did not sin, and he did not accuse God of wrongdoing.” (MEV)
How could Job do that after undergoing so much pain?
The same way we can do it — through faith in God.
God is the only One that can heal the hurt. When Satan attacked Job it was painful! The scars would remain but his life was put back together. Strong belief in God was the medicine. His wife and his friends could not do it — only God could!
The Lord intervened, healed Job and blessed his latter years with greater blessings than his former years.
Job 42:12-13 tells us: “…he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand donkeys.
He had also seven sons and three daughters.”
It was said of his new daughters that “in all the land no women were found so fair.” Job lived 140 years after Satan’s attack and saw his sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and great-great-grandsons!
Marigold Cheshier is another person who knows about facing crises in life.
In 1982 her son, Mike, went through a traumatic experience.
Mike was only seven years old when, while playing with some friends, he was severely burned over the upper 30% of his body.
He was burned not only on the outside, but also in his throat and lungs.
Then, in 1984, her daughter, Melissa, was beaten and left for dead by rapists at a roadside park in Louisiana.
The doctors said she would never be able to marry because of the psychological trauma and never bear children because of the physical trauma.
And in 1985, Marigold herself was given 18 months to live because of cancer.
How did they deal with all of these crises?
The same way Job did — by faith in God.
Mike not only survived the burning but God brought him from a death sentence to a preacher and power lifter, bench-pressing 450 pounds!
Today Melissa is a Children’s Pastor, married to a wonderful husband, and the mother of twins — all due to the healing power of God!
And Marigold?
God miraculously healed her of cancer!
Today she is preaching the Gospel around the world and has completed 17 music recordings.
She has made numerous TV appearances including the 700 Club, TBN and many others.
If you are facing a crisis in your life, God can help you. Romans 2:11 states: “For God does not show favoritism.” (NIV)
You too can move past your hurts, leave off your sad countenance, and be healed if you turn to God for strength.

Rev. Doug Johnson is the senior pastor at Lexington First Assembly of God in Lexington, Kentucky.