In my quiet time this morning, I asked God what should be my heart towards the current happenings with a lot of people who did not just lose their belongings but their loved ones after the biggest typhoon hit some parts of the country. I asked God what should be my prayers when I don’t even know all of them personally. It is during these times that we want everyone to feel okay and be okay and to be able to give comfort and any form of help as much as we could. When I read the news, I am grateful that my family is okay but somehow, I feel sad that I could go on doing the normal things when there are people who could not even find their loved ones.

Then, God led me to read the first chapter of the Book of Job.  In this chapter, Job lost his livelihood and the more painful, his children.   Job’s response (Job 1:20-21)…

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell  to the ground to worship. He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,
and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!”

I realized Job’s situation was no different with the current situation some of the victims of the typhoon are experiencing now.  The only difference would be the kind of relationship they have with God. Job was a man full of fear for God that even to his lowest point, he still worshiped God.

“Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” (Job 1:8)

 As I reflected on Job’s life this morning, it had helped me have the right heart. I can pray for provision of food, shelter and clothing for these people. I can pray that they will be comforted and sympathized. But what I can truly pray for them is that they will experience a real God in the midst of these trying times; that they will have a very special encounter with God and truly see that He loves them and cares for them.

These times are not the times to judge people and question God. These are opportune times to make God known more to people who are hurting and truly in need. I hope that us, who are blessed not to go through such difficult times right now, would show our gratefulness by giving sincere prayers and showing love in action.

Indeed, the Lord gives and takes away. But no matter what, we should continue to praise His Name.