I wish I had never been born - Job 3-5

Depression - a term that evokes debate and confusion. For those who have, at one time or another, been depressed, it is a fearful term that galvanizes the heart. To those who have never experienced it, depression is often viewed as a foreign object and, at times, an excuse employed by others to get attention. Job, after experiencing the tragedies of loss, death of a vision and abandonment curses the day he was born. You can't help but read Job 3 and hear the words ... "I wish I had never been born. (3:11)" Job, after these sufferings, falls into a pool of depression. Like David in Psalm 40-43, Job expresses his despair in terms known only to those who have equally suffered such loss and pain. The worst part of his ordeal is yet to come. His friends have lined the side of his bed of suffering to offer hollow "advice." Eliphaz is up first and immediately begins to criticize Job by telling him that "he knows" that innocent people don't suffer like this. Eliphaz, who's name means, "God is fine gold," doesn't live up to his title. He immediately compounds Job's suffering by contributing his suffering and depression to Job's personal sin. The last thing a man who is depressed needs to hear is the judgmental attitudes of his friends. Job is genuinely depressed and in a very bad spot in life. When someone wishes they had never been born we ought to avoid further condemnation. Later in this book (much later) we will see that the solution for Job's depression is a good dose of the beauty and character of God (Job 38-39). If you have ever had depression or know someone who does, condemnation is not the solution. Teaching them about the magnificence of God is the best antidote.