When You Hate Life

I will admit that I do not always enjoy life. In fact, I despise many aspects of life in this world. It hurts to see people suffer and sorrow. It pains me to watch while people choose sin and selfishness over Christ and the cure. It brings tears to my eyes to see loved ones hurting and to feel so helpless. It frustrates me to no end to hear murdering the unborn, justifying perversion, lying, bigotry, hatred, and more pass itself off—and somewhat successfully—as politics and statesmanship in seeking the highest office of the land. I do not enjoy the aches and pains that increase as I age. I fear for the world my children will inherit. I get tired and sometimes get down just fighting the emotional weight all of these problems create as they weigh upon my heart. I believe, however, I can say with great confidence that never have I reached the point Job did when he said, “My soul loathes my life; I will give free course to my complaint, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me; Show me why You contend with me’” (Job 10:1-2).

Job could not understand why he had to endure so much pain and suffering in life. He could not understand why God would put him through such heartache and distress. But he misunderstood the nature of life and the nature of God. He failed to see that Satan’s work was at the heart of his suffering and that God’s protection kept this from being the constant in life and instead made sure it was limited. He failed to appreciate that there is no connection to the things we must endure in life and where we stand with God, though he knew his own suffering made no sense any other way. He could not understand why God would create him just to then see him destroyed by life itself. He did not appreciate that he was serving a great purpose in life, and that his life and endurance would serve a great purpose for the rest of time.

There may be times when you hate life, times when everything seems unfair and when darkness and evil seem to be winning many battles upon this earth. You may find yourself struggling to survive and struggling to maintain your faith. But in those times of darkness and trial and in those periods of frustration and consternation, when you do not know how you can keep going, remember that you too can serve a great purpose in life. You can show that faith does not exist just when times are easy, but rather faith shines when days are difficult. Your perseverance throughout whatever turmoil you face in life can offer the light of faith to others that may be the shining ray of sunshine they need to step forward and live for God. You may hate life sometimes. But never, ever hate God. When you can see and remember how much God has loved you (Jn. 3:16), you can make it through life even when it is tough. And when you realize that this life is the passageway to eternal life in the presence of God, maybe—just maybe—then you won’t hate this life after all.