In Job 3 and 4 Job is in mourning. He wishes he were dead. He believes then he would be at rest. As it is he is suffering greatly.

His friend Eliphaz reminds him that in the past Job has been responsible for strengthening others in their faith during tough times, but criticizes him because now that he is suffering he is dismayed. Eliphaz alludes that Job has to have done something wrong and that is why he is suffering now, as a punishment for his sin.

When things go wrong in our lives, God does not insist that we never mourn. God himself mourned over the behavior of His people. Mourning is not a sign of lack of faith.

In Luke 14 Jesus is at a meal with some Pharisees. A man with an illness comes to him to be healed. Jesus confronts the Pharisees about whether it is against God’s law to heal on the Sabbath. They do not respond and Jesus heals the man.

Jesus again speaks about how we must be to enter God’s kingdom. He says that we must be humble, putting others first. We must be generous, not expecting anything in return. We must be willing to give up everything to follow Christ. We must not make excuses, simply follow.