Have you watched the movie Notting Hill? One of my favorite scenes from the movie is when Hugh Grant takes Julia Roberts to his sister’s birthday dinner. Towards the end of dinner, each guest attempted to win the last piece of brownie by sharing his or her unhappy story. The guest with the saddest story was said to deserve the last brownie. So the guests shared about their struggle with sickness, failed marriage, unsuccessful careers, appearances and self-worth. Julia Roberts’ character, a famous actress, shared the pain that comes with being a celebrity.

We all have problems. We all go through tough times. We all have a sad story to share. Of all the billions of sad stories in this world, who deserves the last brownie?

Let me introduce you to Job. Job’s story can probably be summarized into this question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Here are just some of the misfortunes that happened to Job all at once:

1. His servants were killed.
2. His donkeys and oxen were stolen.
3. His shepherds and sheep were killed by lightning.
4. A tornado killed all his children.
5. He got sick. He developed painful and ugly looking sores from head to foot.

“When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?” - Job 2:10

Job’s wife instructed him: “Curse God and then die!”

Job’s response, however, was brave for he seemed to be a person who has nothing more to lose: “When God sends us something good, we welcome it. How can we complain when he sends us trouble?” (Job 2:10)

Did you notice how, even in all his suffering, Job said nothing against God? Job gave a powerful declaration. His declaration tells us that in life, there are good days and there are bad days. Now the question is, how do you receive your bad days? Do you welcome them like Job did? Or do you question God and turn against Him?

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

I don't know about you, but in my bad days, I often feel like I deserve the last brownie. But truth is, if there’s someone who deserve that last brownie, it’s not me or you. And it’s not Job either. That last brownie is for Jesus. Jesus suffered for all of us when he took the shame and pain of our sins on the cross of Calvary. He was God, yet he came down to earth as man. He was sinless, yet he was crucified. He deserved that last brownie, yet instead of getting it all for himself, he shared every bit of his brownie with you and me.

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world." - John 16:33

Discussion questions:

1. What is the most unfair thing that has ever happened to you? How did it affect the way you thought about God?
2. What do you think is the purpose of suffering and problems in life? (HEBREWS 12:7-11; PSALM 26:2-3)

See more devotions from Floyd and our other Young Adult writers, or find our how you can become a writer yourself, at our Young Adult devotions page.