Job 42:12 So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also seven sons and three daughters. 16 After this lived Job a hundred and forty years and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four generations.
It is not certain how long Job’s trial lasted, but what we do know from the Scriptures is that it was long enough for Job to learn the important lessons that he needed to. When that was accomplished, he was granted a reprieve, and the sacred record says that his latter end was much better than at the first. Avoiding the urge to murmur when your faith is being tested is critically important, for this could set the stage for defeat, or resilience, depending on the attitude adopted.
Murmuring, complaining, or harboring bad feelings towards God, when the trial of your faith is taking place, does nothing to help the situation. Instead, if murmuring is indulged during trial, it tends to sour one’s demeanor and attitudes, which inevitably will rub off on other persons they come in contact with. Cultivating a cheerful, hopeful attitude in tribulation inspires courage and resilience in others, and greatly helps us in focusing on the brighter side of things.
If we dwell on the darker side, groveling in our trials, and singing the blues, our psyche, and outlook gets negatively affected in ways that can actually impede the purpose of the trial. Therefore, we are instructed and encouraged not to lick our wounds, nor focus our energies on the trials at hand. Instead, folks can recount their blessings of previous years, dwelling on the sunny side of their life experience, and this in turn will help themselves and others to be faithful in tribulation.
Proverbs 15: 13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!