Smile at others when they disagree with you; don't let them steal your joy! Job 29-30

To say Job is in a unique spot would be saying like saying the sun is just a typical light.   Job is in quite a fix.  There probably aren't two chapters in the book like 29 and 30 that contrast so accurately where Job was and where he is now.  Nothing test the joy we experience in life (chapter 29) like the pain of life (chapter 30).  Job feels as though he is being mocked by his friends in chapter 30 (30:1). He must feel that way because of the pain he is in.  He didn't always worry about the opinions of others.   Read the following description of his life prior to the pain and see what he says: Job 29:24 - “I smiled on them when they did not believe, And the light of my face they did not cast down." When confronted by others who disbelieved him, Job made it a practice to keep his joy.  He "smiled" and his face kept its shine.  His countenance did not change simply because others didn't believe him.  However, now, in the midst of pain and suffering, the pain in his heart has affected the joy on his face.   Because he is troubled by "why" this is happening to him, Job has lost his joy.  Chapter 30 bears out the suffering and confusion in his life.   When things were going good for him Job didn't worry about the opinions of others.   We need to remember this lesson.  Even in the midst of trouble we should remember the same God is over the good and the bad.   God is the source of Job's strength and that source doesn't diminish in the midst of pain and suffering.  Our face ought to be full of joy because we know the God who is in control, not because we "feel" in control.   This is a very HARD lesson to learn and practice.