Scriptures Cited: 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20; Matthew 5; Ecclesiastes 3:1; Jonah 4; James 4; Lamentations 3:38; John 16:33; Psalm 9:1.

Introduction

1. Thankfulness is easy when things are good
2. How can we be thankful when things are hard?
3. Job was a man who endured hardship yet remained thankful

Job’s Affliction
Job’s affliction came in various ways

1. spiritually – because of his relationship with God (1:1, 5, 8)
2. practically – his faith cost him practically in life (1:12, 13-19; 2:4-7)
3. relationally – his closest friends abandoned him (2:9; 4:7-8; 11:6; 18:5)
4. psychologically – his affliction didn’t make sense (1:22; 2:10)
   he had done everything right and suffered anyway

​Job’s Reaction

1. Job had the right perspective (1:21)
   1. He realized everything has a season and things change
   2. We can often get too attached to the present
2. Job became reflective (2:10)
   1. He realizes ease and hardship often go together
   2. life comes with ups and downs
   3. we have to take the good with the bad
3. Job remained proactive (2:8)
   1. Often we have to look for something to be thankful for
   2. It might not be obvious but if we’re determined we can find it

Closing

1. We can’t control what happens in life
2. We can control our reaction
3. We can determine to be thankful in hardship