Trusting God When Life Falls Apart
Series: When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Job 1:1–22
Good morning! It’s such a privilege to be with you today and to begin a new journey together through one of the Bible’s most profound yet often misunderstood books: the Book of Job. Over these next weeks, we’ll explore what it truly means to trust God when life simply doesn’t make sense.
Introduction:
Life can change dramatically in just a moment. You know what I mean—one phone call, one visit to the doctor, one tragic accident, one unexpected conversation—and suddenly your entire world is turned upside down. Most of us have either experienced this personally or walked alongside someone else who has. When that happens, we instinctively cry out to God with the question, “Why?”
But the greater challenge isn’t just dealing with pain or loss; it’s learning how to trust God when our lives fall apart without warning. That’s exactly what we see in the life of Job—a faithful, godly man who suddenly faces unimaginable pain and loss. As we explore Job’s story, we’ll discover how to trust God when our lives are shaken.
If you have your Bible, would you turn with me to Job chapter 1. Beginning in verse 1 we read:
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. 4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom.
6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
12 The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. — Job 1:1–22 (NIV)
Context:
In Job, we encounter a man who is introduced as righteous, blameless, and deeply devoted to God. Job was extraordinarily wealthy, influential, and had a family that represented the ideal picture of success. He was, by all human measures, profoundly blessed.
Yet, despite Job’s righteous life, we witness one of the most difficult scenes in Scripture: Job losing virtually everything he holds dear in rapid succession—his property, his servants, and even his beloved children. His comfortable life vanishes in an instant. What’s remarkable, though, isn’t the depth of his tragedy—it’s how Job chooses to respond.
So how do we trust God when life falls apart?
1. Expect the Unexpected Storms
Job’s story reminds us clearly that righteousness does not exempt us from tragedy. Look again carefully at how Job is described in the opening verses of this book:
Job 1:1–5 (NIV)
“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning, he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ This was Job’s regular custom.”
Notice carefully the detailed portrait the Bible paints of Job. He was not just a decent man; he was exceptionally faithful, godly, and committed. Job was described as “blameless and upright,” a man who actively pursued righteousness. He “feared God and shunned evil.” His character wasn’t passive or hidden; it was vibrant, clear, and consistent. Job’s life was an example to everyone around him—his integrity so evident that Scripture itself testifies he was “the greatest man among all the people of the East.”
Yet, despite Job’s exemplary character, tragedy entered his life abruptly, swiftly, and without mercy. His wealth, status, and family—all carefully built and nurtured over many years—were suddenly taken from him. He woke up one day in blessing, and by evening, he was overwhelmed by loss.
This challenges a deeply ingrained belief many of us unconsciously carry: that if we faithfully serve God, love our neighbors, and follow biblical principles, somehow we’ll be protected from life’s harshest storms. We subtly think, “If I do enough good things, surely God won’t allow bad things to happen to me or my family.” But Job’s experience profoundly confronts that assumption. His tragedy reminds us vividly that even the most righteous people will face unexpected storms.
This reality shouldn’t surprise us. Jesus himself prepared us for it. He said in John 16:33,
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV)
Notice carefully: Jesus didn’t say, “You might have trouble.” He said, “You will have trouble.”
The expectation of storms is woven into the fabric of our fallen world. Trials, pain, grief, and unexpected losses aren’t signs that we’ve somehow displeased God or that we lack enough faith. Rather, they’re part of the reality of life in a broken world that longs for ultimate redemption.
Consider the powerful story behind Horatio Spafford’s beloved hymn, “It Is Well With My Soul.” Spafford was a successful lawyer and businessman in Chicago who had invested significantly in real estate along the shores of Lake Michigan. However, in 1871, he lost nearly everything he owned in the catastrophic Chicago Fire. His financial security vanished overnight. Yet that wasn’t the worst of his sufferings. Only two years later, while traveling across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe, the ship carrying Spafford’s wife and four daughters collided with another vessel and sank quickly. Spafford’s wife survived and sent a heartbreaking telegram that simply read: “Saved alone.” All four of his beloved daughters were lost to the sea.
In the face of unimaginable sorrow, rather than surrendering to bitterness or despair, Horatio Spafford turned his grief into profound worship, penning the words that still bring comfort today:
“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Spafford’s life, like Job’s, reminds us powerfully that storms come unexpectedly—even to the most faithful among us. No amount of preparation, no level of spiritual maturity, exempts us from experiencing deep valleys. The test of our faith isn’t found in the absence of storms, but in how we respond when the storms inevitably arrive.
Job’s story—and Horatio Spafford’s—is not meant to cause fear, but to cultivate wisdom and preparedness. If we accept that trials are part of our earthly journey, then we can anchor our lives more firmly in the God who controls every storm. We may not have the ability to choose when or how storms will come, but we can choose how we respond.
The first lesson Job teaches us today is clear: Expect unexpected storms. But also, remember the promise Jesus gave us: “Take heart, I have overcome the world.” Even in the fiercest storms, our hope is secure in Christ.
We cannot control when storms arise, but we can control our response. Job teaches us how.
2. Anchor Yourself in God’s Sovereignty
When tragedy struck Job’s life, he had no idea why these devastating events were occurring. Unlike us, Job couldn’t read his own story. He was completely unaware of the profound spiritual drama happening behind the scenes—what Scripture vividly describes in Job 1:6–12:
Job 1:6–12 (NIV)
“One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.’ Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.’ ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’ Satan replied. ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands… But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.’ The LORD said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.’ Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.”
Notice carefully what this Scripture reveals: even in this mysterious interaction, it is clear that God maintained absolute authority over Satan and every circumstance in Job’s life. Though Satan is given temporary permission to test Job, he can do nothing beyond the boundaries God clearly sets. Satan himself is bound, restrained, and limited by the sovereignty of God.
This reveals something profoundly important about God’s sovereignty: it is absolute and unwavering, even when our circumstances seem chaotic, confusing, or even cruel. Nothing—absolutely nothing—occurs in our lives without first passing through the hands of our sovereign and loving God. This can be a challenging truth, but it’s also incredibly comforting. It means our lives are not controlled by random chance, fate, or evil intentions. Instead, our lives remain securely held in the hands of the God who rules heaven and earth.
But here’s where the challenge comes in: we typically don’t have access to the heavenly backdrop of our trials. We’re more like Job than we realize. When tragedy hits, we see the pain, the sorrow, and the loss clearly—but often, the divine purpose behind our suffering remains hidden. We don’t get to peek behind the curtain and understand why certain events are allowed or how God intends to ultimately redeem them. And yet, our inability to see clearly does not diminish God’s absolute authority. Even when our questions remain unanswered and our pain unresolved, God’s sovereignty remains firm.
Consider this truth carefully: If God is sovereign, then He is sovereign not only over our victories and blessings but also over our pain and losses. While we naturally desire explanations and reasons for our suffering, there will be times when answers simply aren’t given. But even then, our assurance comes not from our ability to understand but from our decision to anchor ourselves deeply and confidently in the character of the God who holds all things together.
We see this beautifully illustrated in the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:28, where he declares with confidence:
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”— Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Paul doesn’t say that all things we face are good; he says God works in all things—even in hardship, pain, disappointment, betrayal, and loss—to ultimately bring good to those who trust Him. Our hope rests in God’s ultimate control and purpose, not in immediate understanding or temporary relief.
When we anchor ourselves in God’s sovereignty, it doesn’t mean we become passive or indifferent to suffering. Rather, it means we choose to trust God even when our circumstances are beyond our control or understanding. We trust that He sees a bigger picture, knows a deeper purpose, and holds our lives securely in His hands. Sovereignty means our lives are not at the mercy of chance, luck, or even evil. Our lives remain firmly under the authority of a loving, powerful, and wise God.
Application:
Let me ask you honestly today: Are you willing to trust in God’s sovereignty even when life feels chaotic or painful?When the doctor’s report is devastating, when relationships crumble, when the job is lost, or when your dreams seem shattered—will you still hold fast to your belief in God’s absolute goodness and ultimate control?
Trusting God’s sovereignty means embracing the difficult truth that we will not always understand “why.” Yet even then, our lack of understanding doesn’t shake God’s throne. He remains on it, ruling, reigning, and ultimately redeeming all things for His glory and our eternal good.
So, today, if you’re walking through something deeply painful—something you simply don’t understand—I urge you to anchor your heart in this powerful truth: God remains sovereign. Your pain has a limit. Your trial has boundaries. Your struggle has a purpose, even if it remains hidden. Our sovereign God promises He will never abandon us in our suffering, but rather He walks closely beside us through every valley we face.
And this, friends, brings us to the heart of Job’s incredible response—choosing worship over bitterness.
3. Choose Worship Over Bitterness
In the moments immediately following unimaginable loss, Job’s response is nothing short of astonishing. After receiving the devastating news of losing everything—his livelihood, his possessions, and most painfully, his beloved children—Job demonstrates a response that defies human instinct. Notice again carefully the words recorded in Job 1:20–22:
Job 1:20–22 (NIV)
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said:
‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.’
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
Let the profound nature of Job’s response settle into your heart. Job could have responded in countless understandable ways. He could have fallen to the ground in bitterness, despair, anger, or accusation. And honestly, who among us would blame him? But instead, Job deliberately chooses a path far more challenging yet infinitely more powerful: he falls to the ground in worship.
What Job demonstrates here is worship born not from his present circumstances but from a deep-rooted trust in the unchanging character of God. Job’s faith is anchored in a truth deeper than the immediate pain of his loss. He knew that life itself—all he had and all he loved—had been a gracious gift from God. And if it was God who had given him these blessings, Job trusted that somehow, even in their removal, God remained worthy of praise.
Worship, in its purest form, is not just praising God when life is easy or when blessings abound. True worship becomes visible precisely in moments like these—moments filled with confusion, pain, and uncertainty. Worship, in fact, becomes a deliberate act of trust, a proclamation that God’s goodness is not dependent on our circumstances. Worship declares that even when the storm is raging, God is still worthy of our devotion, praise, and loyalty.
But let’s acknowledge something clearly: Choosing worship over bitterness is profoundly difficult. Bitterness, after all, is understandable—human, even. Bitterness offers an immediate, though temporary, emotional outlet for our pain and frustration. It seems justified, natural, even comforting. Yet, the path of bitterness, though understandable, ultimately leads us deeper into despair. Bitterness isolates us, traps us, and blinds us from seeing God clearly. Worship, on the other hand, opens our eyes, brings perspective, and places our hearts back into alignment with our Creator, whose love never changes.
Consider for a moment the remarkable testimony of Elisabeth Elliot, whose husband, Jim Elliot, was tragically killed by the Waorani people in Ecuador as he sought to share the gospel with them. Elisabeth faced unimaginable grief and deep sorrow. Her life was turned upside-down in an instant. Yet instead of becoming bitter toward God, she chose trust and worship.
Elisabeth famously said:
“God never denies us our heart’s desire except to give us something better.”
How remarkable is that perspective? Elisabeth understood something crucial: God’s character is inherently good, loving, and purposeful, even when circumstances feel anything but good. Even in profound grief, she chose to trust that God’s plans were higher, deeper, and more purposeful than her immediate pain. Her response of worship amid such profound loss became an extraordinary testimony of faith, inspiring countless believers to anchor their hearts in worship rather than bitterness.
Choosing worship does not mean ignoring pain, grief, or sorrow. Notice again that Job expressed his grief openly—he tore his robe and shaved his head as cultural expressions of deep mourning. Elisabeth Elliot didn’t deny her sorrow; she grieved deeply and publicly. But both Job and Elisabeth chose to worship God through their tears, pain, and unanswered questions. Worship doesn’t require us to deny or suppress our grief; rather, worship invites us to bring our grief honestly before the God who can hold our pain tenderly, redemptively, and compassionately.
Application:
Today, you might be facing circumstances that threaten to overwhelm your heart and make you bitter. Perhaps your life has recently crumbled through the loss of someone you dearly love. Maybe you’ve experienced betrayal, disappointment, financial ruin, or deep loneliness. These circumstances understandably tempt you to bitterness, anger, and despair.
But today, consider following Job’s extraordinary example: Choose worship over bitterness. Declare God’s goodness even through your tears. Worship not because your circumstances are comfortable or easy, but because God Himself is inherently worthy of our devotion and trust, no matter what life brings.
Choosing worship means saying:
“Lord, I don’t understand, and the pain feels overwhelming, but I will still praise You. You gave, and You took away. Yet even in this, may Your name be praised.”
The power of worship in moments like this is transformational—it shifts our focus away from ourselves and onto the greatness, goodness, and faithfulness of God. It breaks the power of bitterness and releases our hearts to experience God’s comfort, grace, and peace.
Today, I challenge you to follow in Job’s footsteps. Let worship become your response to whatever pain or storm you face. Let worship realign your heart with God’s purposes, even when those purposes remain hidden or unclear. God sees you, loves you, and promises His presence to sustain you.
Let’s commit together today—no matter how fierce the storm—to choose worship, trusting the One who holds us in His hands.
Conclusion:
Life will inevitably bring storms. You and I will face things we never anticipated—losses, hurts, unexpected tragedies. But Job’s example teaches us that trusting God when life falls apart is not only possible, it’s transformative.
We don’t always understand why storms come. We rarely grasp God’s purposes fully this side of heaven. Yet, we can rest confidently in the sovereignty and goodness of God. And like Job, even when life doesn’t make sense, we can still choose worship over bitterness.
As we close today, let’s respond to God’s Word in prayer. Whatever storm you might be facing—or even if you’re walking alongside someone else who is—let’s commit today to anchoring our trust firmly in the unchanging character of our God.
Would you bow your heads with me?
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, today we humbly acknowledge that our lives are often filled with storms we cannot control and situations we do not understand. Yet, we choose today to trust Your sovereignty, Your goodness, and Your faithfulness. Give us the courage to worship rather than become bitter, to trust rather than despair. Strengthen us through Your Holy Spirit and comfort us in our deepest struggles. We believe that, like Job, You will sustain us, and that somehow, even our pain can bring You glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.