7 “When I went to the gate of the city and took my seat in the public square,
Loss can come in many forms. For Job, one of these losses was his loss of status in the community. He used to be a well-respected leader and this chapter outlines why he was well-respected. It can be very difficult to loss status in a group, even if that loss of status was not your fault, maybe, especially so. Through no fault of his own, Job now is not looked up to by almost anyone in his community. The young and old alike used to respect him and show him that respect in a culturally appropriate manner. Those he helped because he was a follower of the LORD respected him. In our current economic hard times, with so many out of work, this loss of status can place a great strain on relationships. When we feel that loss, we often get depressed and pull away from other people. This downward cycle can be devastating. We look for work and can’t find any. We apply for jobs, but we get no interviews. We get interviews, but get no offers. We scour the internet for work, but we are just one of tens of thousands of other people doing the same. We hang our heads as we walk around the community, now wanting anyone to know that we are unemployed. All the non-essential purchases stop abruptly so we can pay the bills. We hate going to the mailbox because it will have those nasty ‘past due’ letters. We avoid answering the door or the phone for fear a collector will be on the other end. This loss of status is especially difficult for men in our society. But it was difficult for Job four thousand years ago. So if you are in this spot, you are not alone. Many are facing this same feeling, and like you, will make it through this dark spot.
The Arnold Journey 