Born to Trouble

For affliction does not come from the dust, nor does trouble sprout from the ground, but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward.
Job 5:6-7
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Born to Trouble
The idea of reaping what you sow is a constant theme for Eliphaz as he confronts Job in this misery-stricken state. This is what he means by, “affliction does not come from the dust.”  He can’t see past his own assumption that only the wicked suffer.  And to believe this is to not understand the origin of suffering itself.  Suffering is painful and unpleasant for the very reason that it is not natural.  It is an intrusion into God’s perfect creation brough in by sin. This is why we grief so much at the loss of a loved one, death is not natural.  We know we are created not just of flesh and bone but of soul and spirit as well. The fall destroyed this.  So today, we are indeed born to trouble.  We are born into a life of suffering and sorrow.  We are born into a world where we are set against God, the only One who can actually take away our suffering and make us whole again.  And it would be in a state of trouble where we would remain if not for the grace of God which gives us faith to know Christ as our Savior.  To know that our sins do cause sorrow, yet in contrition and repentance God sooths us, is His gift.  To know when pain comes to us, through our fault or others, Christ is there to rescue us, is a blessing. Though we are born to trouble there was One who was born to correct all of our woes.  For the greatest trouble we face is our separation from God, and it is through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the One who came to take away the sin of the world, where we are given reconciliation.  It is at His cross where we lay all our pain, suffering, and trouble. For it is there where we are forgiven and born again through His gift. Born again not into a life of trouble but of hope, love, and mercy.