To thank God even for the greatest trials

The world knows Job today, after so many centuries, not because he gave of his wealth to the poor, but because when he was left without wealth, he did not lose his temper; not because he clothed the naked with clothes made from the wool of his sheep, but because when fire fell from heaven and burned up all his flocks, he glorified God. Before, by clothing the poor, he was merciful; afterwards, by glorifying God for his misfortune, he became the bearer of heavenly wisdom. Before he pitied the poor, afterwards he glorified God. He did not say to himself: Why have I suffered all this? Why have my flocks, from which I fed thousands of people, perished? And if I was not worthy to enjoy such wealth, why did God not have mercy at least on the poor? No such thought crossed his mind. On the contrary, knowing that God ordains all things for our good, he gave thanks to Him. To give thanks to God when everything goes well is not a wonderful thing. But to give thanks to Him for the greatest trials is wonderful and praiseworthy.

If those who have become rich through injustice and theft are overcome by great sadness and despair when they lose even a small part of their wealth, how much praise is not due to Job, who, even though he suddenly lost everything he had acquired through honest work, did not lose his hope in God and did not cease to thank Him?

Saint John Chrysostom

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