The Holy Ache of the In-Between
Heart Happy
Audio By Carbonatix
I want to be the woman who welcomes the changes with a smile, who holds her hands open and says, “Yes, Lord, whatever You have next.” But if we are being honest—like, really honest, just us friends sitting over coffee—sometimes my hands feel a little gripped tight. Sometimes, the “next” feels heavy before it even arrives.
I am in a season of profound “digging deep.” You know that feeling? It’s when the surface-level prayers just don’t cut it anymore. It’s when you realize you can’t skim the surface of your life because the calling requires roots that go down into the dark, rich soil of God’s faithfulness.
There is so much happening in my heart right now. It is a mix of anticipation and a quiet, holy grief.
In our home, the walls are echoing with a new reality. We have taken on the role of caring for my in-laws here with us. It is a privilege, truly. It is a chance to honor those who came before us. But it is also a shifting of weight. It is a daily dying to self in the kitchen, in the hallways, in the quiet moments where compassion is required more than convenience. And at the very same time, I am looking at my youngest four.
Just three years.
That is the timeline sitting in my spirit. Over the next three years, we will launch these last four arrows into the world. The noise, the chaos, the beautiful mess of raising a tribe… it is moving toward a silence I am not quite ready for.
I feel stuck in the middle—caring for the generation ahead of me, launching the generation behind me, and trying to find me somewhere in the center of it all.
Maybe you are there too. Maybe you feel stretched thin, wondering if you have enough emotional capacity to hold everyone else’s stories while still trying to write your own.
Here is the gut-truth I am clinging to today: God does not call us to a season He has not already provisioned.
When I open my Bible, I am not just looking for comfort. I am looking for oxygen. I am reading the Psalms and seeing David ask the hard questions. I am seeing that it is okay to feel overwhelmed, as long as that overwhelm chases us to the Rock, not away from Him.
"From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I." — Psalm 61:2 (NIV)
I don’t have to be the Rock. I just have to be held by Him.
So, how do we focus forward when our hearts are heavy with the “now”?
- We name the ache. It is okay to say, “This is hard.” It is okay to say, “I am going to miss this.” Acknowledging the emotion isn’t a lack of faith. Instead, it’s the beginning of honesty.
- We stay in the Word. Not just as a routine, but as a lifeline. If I am going to inspire others—and I so want to—I cannot pour from an empty cup. My “digging deep” means digging into Scripture until I hit the bedrock of God’s promises.
- We look for the “new.” God is always doing a new thing. Even as one season closes—the season of little kids, the season of independence before caregiving—a new season of influence is opening.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" — Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
I am learning that “Focusing Forward” doesn’t mean ignoring the present. It means trusting that the God who held me in the past is already waiting in the future.
Friend, if you are in a season of transition—if your nest is emptying, or your responsibilities are shifting, or your heart just feels a little tender—you are not alone.
Let’s dig deep together. Let’s stand on the Rock. And let’s believe that the best stories are the ones God is writing right now, even in the messy middle.
Additional Resources
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Weekly readings for the Daily Bible Podcast with Tricia and Michelle
January 19
Job 1-4
The Testing of Job
The book of Job introduces us to one of the most profound narratives in Scripture, offering timeless lessons about testing, faith, and human resilience amidst suffering. As we delve into these first four chapters, we encounter the story of Job—a man of great wealth and unwavering piety—and his journey through unimaginable trials.
Job: A Man of Wealth and Piety
Job’s story begins with a portrait of his blameless character and abundant blessings. Living in Uz, Job is described as a man who fears God and shuns evil. His life is marked by prosperity, a large family, and unwavering devotion to God.
The Heavenly Challenge and Job’s Testing
The narrative takes a dramatic turn as a celestial dialogue unfolds between God and Satan. God points out Job’s righteousness, but Satan challenges this, claiming Job’s faith is contingent on his prosperity. God permits Satan to test Job, leading to devastating losses: his livestock, servants, and most heartbreakingly, his children. Despite his grief, Job’s response is one of mourning yet steadfast faith:
“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Job’s Physical Afflictions and His Wife’s Response
The testing continues as Satan inflicts Job with painful boils. Even when his wife suggests he “curse God and die,” Job refuses, responding with resilience: “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). His words remind us of the complexity of faith, especially when grappling with suffering.
The Arrival of Job’s Friends and His Lament
Job’s three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—arrive and sit with him in silence for seven days and nights. This act of solidarity underscores the depth of Job’s suffering and the importance of simply being present during times of grief. However, as the dialogues begin, their well-meaning but inadequate responses highlight the difficulty of addressing deep pain with simplistic reasoning.
Eliphaz’s Counsel and Job’s Response
Eliphaz speaks first, advising Job to take hope in his past faithfulness and righteousness. While his counsel contains some truth, it falls short in addressing the enormity of Job’s suffering. Job’s response is raw and honest, a lament that questions the meaning of life amidst profound pain.
Word of the Day: Testing
Definition: The process of examining and scrutinizing, often leading to growth and refinement.
The trials in Job’s life epitomize the theme of testing. As Proverbs 17:3 reminds us, “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.” Job’s story is a powerful example of how tests can refine and transform us, even through the most challenging circumstances.
Finding Strength in Testing
- Embrace the Refining Process: Like silver and gold tested by fire, our trials can strengthen our faith and character when we trust God through them.
- Find God in the Silence: Job’s friends initially sat with him in silence. Sometimes, being present and still is the best response to suffering.
- Hold Fast to Faith: Job’s steadfastness amidst unimaginable loss reminds us to cling to God, even when life doesn’t make sense.
- Accept the Complexity of Faith: Testing often brings questions and doubts, but it can also deepen our understanding of God’s character and His faithfulness.
The story of Job challenges us to view our trials not as punishments but as opportunities for growth, testing our resilience and dependence on God. Like Job, may we find strength in God’s presence, even when life’s answers seem out of reach.
January 20
Job 5-7
Job’s Plea
The book of Job takes us deeper into the intense and profound dialogues between Job and his friends. In Job 5-7, we encounter Eliphaz’s continued counsel, Job’s heartfelt plea, and the enduring tension between human suffering and divine justice. This section challenges us to reflect on how we navigate pain, offer support, and relate to God in times of trial.
Eliphaz’s Counsel and Its Impact
Eliphaz, speaking from a place of wisdom, encourages Job to view his suffering as divine discipline. He emphasizes God’s greatness and the joy that comes from being corrected by Him. While Eliphaz’s words contain truth, they fail to address the depth of Job’s anguish. This raises an enduring question: How can we offer support that is both truthful and compassionate?
Job’s Defense and Plea
Job’s response to Eliphaz reveals a heart burdened by pain yet unwavering in its desire for understanding. His defense includes vivid metaphors to describe his suffering and frustration over his friends’ inability to empathize. Job also directs a raw and candid plea to God, seeking relief and clarity. This highlights the human need to express grief and the importance of turning to God in our most vulnerable moments.
The Literary Beauty of Job
The book of Job is not only a theological masterpiece but also a work of poetic brilliance. Chapter 7, for instance, features idioms and balanced structures that convey deep emotional and spiritual struggles. These stylistic elements invite us to appreciate Job’s narrative as a profound piece of ancient literature that speaks to the universal human experience.
Wisdom and Knowledge in the Dialogues
The dialogues between Job and his friends reflect a depth of wisdom and understanding about God’s sovereignty and human suffering. While their words stem from the knowledge of their time, their perspectives provide a rich backdrop for exploring divine justice and the nature of pain.
Word of the Day: Plea
Definition: An earnest appeal or request for understanding, sympathy, or mercy.
In these chapters, Job’s pleas—both to his friends and to God—are central. They demonstrate his deep desire for empathy and relief. His willingness to engage in raw, honest dialogue with God reveals the depth of his faith and trust in the divine.
Lessons from Job’s Plea
Appreciate Life’s Complexity: The dialogues in Job remind us that faith and suffering often exist in tension, requiring both patience and wisdom.
Turn to God in Vulnerability: Like Job, we can bring our raw emotions and deepest questions to God, trusting His understanding and compassion.
Offer Empathy, Not Just Advice: Job’s friends remind us that well-meaning counsel can sometimes miss the mark. True support requires listening and empathizing.
Value Honest Prayer: Job’s candid pleas show us that prayer isn’t about perfection but authenticity. We can approach God with our doubts and pain.
January 21
Job 8-11
Seeking Answers in Trials
In Job 8-11, we dive into the responses of Bildad and Zophar to Job’s suffering. These chapters offer profound lessons on the human quest for answers, the limitations of our understanding, and the hope found in God.
Bildad’s Response: A Mix of Criticism and Hope
Bildad addresses Job with a sharp critique, comparing Job’s words to a “blustering wind.” He attributes Job’s suffering to sin, reflecting a common belief of the time. Yet, Bildad also offers a glimmer of hope:
“God will not reject a person of integrity.” (Job 8:20-21)
His words remind us of the importance of balancing truth with compassion when attempting to comfort others.
Job’s Honest Response: Wrestling with Injustice
Job’s reply is raw and honest, filled with questions and emotions. He asks:
“So who am I, that I should try to answer to God or even reason with him?” (Job 9:14-15)
His plea for understanding resonates with anyone who has grappled with life’s challenges.
A Foreshadowing of Christ: Finding a Mediator
In his suffering, Job expresses the need for a mediator between himself and God:
“If only there were a mediator who could bring us together.” (Job 9:33)
This longing points us to Christ, our ultimate Mediator, who reconciles us to God. As 1 Timothy 2:5 assures us, “For there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.”
Zophar’s ‘Fix-It’ Mentality and the Dangers of Simplistic Advice
Zophar’s response illustrates a ‘fix-it’ mentality, offering solutions that fail to address Job’s pain. This serves as a reminder of how important it is to listen and empathize rather than rushing to solve problems.
The Word of the Day: Answer
Definition: A response or solution to a question or problem.
In these chapters, the word “answer” reflects Job’s desire for understanding amid his suffering. It’s a reminder that while we may not always find answers immediately, God provides guidance and peace through Christ.
Lessons from Job’s Plea for Answers
- Seek Solace in Prayer: Bring your honest questions and emotions to God.
- Find Comfort in Scripture: Look to the Bible for reassurance and guidance.
- Embrace Empathy Over Fixes: Listen deeply to others without rushing to provide solutions.
- Rest in God’s Promises: Trust that God’s plan is good, even when it’s unclear.
- Lean on Community: Surround yourself with those who offer support and understanding.
Trusting God When Answers Are Elusive
Job’s journey reminds us that it’s okay to wrestle with questions and seek answers. What matters most is turning to God, trusting that He walks with us through every trial. As we face challenges, let’s hold onto the hope of Christ, our Mediator, who provides peace and understanding when answers seem distant.
January 22
Job 12-14
Job’s Defense of Faith Through Grief
The journey through grief and suffering is a deeply personal and complex experience, as demonstrated in Job’s story. In these chapters, Job moves from frustration to defiance, seeking answers and defending his faith amid unimaginable loss.
Job’s Defense Against His Friends
After enduring unhelpful counsel from his friends, Job responds with a mix of sarcasm and deep conviction. He challenges their simplistic views of divine justice, asserting his understanding of God and the world. Job’s defense reflects his refusal to accept shallow answers to profound suffering.
In Job 13:3-4, he declares, “But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!” This bold plea reveals Job’s longing for a direct encounter with God rather than relying on the flawed wisdom of his friends.
The Word of the Day: Defense
Definition: The act of protecting oneself or one’s beliefs against attack or criticism.
Job’s defense is not just about rebutting his friends; it’s about defending his relationship with God. His raw honesty and refusal to let go of his faith demonstrate the resilience of a soul determined to seek truth amidst pain.
Faith Amid Suffering: Lessons from Job
- Honest Conversations with God: Job’s unfiltered dialogue with God teaches us the importance of being honest in our prayers. God welcomes our questions, doubts, and emotions.
- Seeking Understanding: Like Job, we may not find immediate answers, but the pursuit of understanding deepens our relationship with God.
- Persistent Faith: Job’s refusal to abandon his faith, even when he doesn’t understand his circumstances, inspires us to cling to God through life’s trials.
Finding Faith Through Grief
Job’s journey mirrors the experience of many, including Christian artist Toby Mac, who turned to Scripture after losing his son. His commitment to “digging into God” resonates with Job’s story, reminding us that grief can lead to a deeper understanding of faith. As Oswald Chambers noted, “Job did not abandon God, but he had to come to understand God in a new way.”
Embracing Honest Faith
- Be Vulnerable in Prayer: Speak openly to God about your pain and doubts.
- Turn to Scripture: Find solace and guidance in God’s Word, especially in times of confusion.
- Support Others with Empathy: Offer presence and compassion rather than quick fixes when comforting those in grief.
- Seek Community: Surround yourself with people who encourage faith and provide genuine support.
Defending Faith with Honesty
Job’s defense is a powerful example of faith in the face of suffering. It reminds us that we don’t have to have all the answers or suppress our emotions to remain faithful. By turning to God, even with our rawest feelings, we open the door to healing and deeper understanding.
January 23
Job 15-18
Job’s Cry for Justice
The chapters of Job 15-18 take us deeper into the intricate tapestry of human suffering, faith, and the quest for understanding. Through Job’s interactions with his friends and his emotional responses, we witness a profound exploration of how we grapple with trials and seek justice in the midst of hardship.
Accusations and Misunderstandings: The Role of Job’s Friends
Eliphaz and Bildad, two of Job’s friends, continue their dialogue with Job, but their words bring little comfort.
- Eliphaz doubles down on accusations, suggesting Job’s suffering is due to hidden sins, embodying the belief that divine punishment is always tied to wrongdoing.
- Bildad points to the fate of the wicked as a warning, further wounding Job by implying his guilt.
Their responses remind us of the harm that can come from misjudging others in their suffering.
Job’s Plea for Justice and a Mediator
Job’s response to his friends is a mixture of anguish and steadfastness. In Job 16:19-21, he declares, “Even now, my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.”
This heartfelt plea highlights:
- Job’s enduring desire for justice despite feeling abandoned.
- His longing for a mediator—a role ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Word of the Day: Accuse
Definition: To charge someone with an offense or wrongdoing.
Job’s friends act as accusers, wrongly attributing his suffering to sin. Their accusations echo Satan’s original challenge to God, illustrating how easily we can misjudge others in their trials.
A Foreshadowing of Christ
Job’s cry for a mediator reflects humanity’s need for Christ, who stands between us and God. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 proclaims, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
This powerful truth reminds us that Christ not only advocates for us but also bears our burdens, offering redemption and grace.
Reflections and Applications
- The Power of Words: Job’s friends show how poorly chosen words can wound. Let us strive to offer empathy and encouragement rather than judgment.
- Seeking a Mediator: Just as Job yearned for an advocate, we too can find solace in Christ, who intercedes on our behalf.
- Faith Amid Accusations: Job’s unwavering commitment to his integrity inspires us to remain steadfast in faith, even when misunderstood.
A Lesson in Mediation
Reflecting on Job’s desire for a mediator, I (Tricia) recall a time when I was falsely accused by a friend. Through the help of a biblical mediator, we found resolution and restored our friendship. This experience reminds me of Christ’s role as our ultimate mediator, reconciling us to God.
Embracing Grace in Trials
The story of Job reminds us that even in our deepest struggles, we are not alone. Christ stands as our advocate, offering grace and the promise of restoration. Let this truth encourage us to trust in God’s plan, even when answers seem elusive.
January 24
Job 19-21
Job’s Wisdom to Pause
In today’s reading, we explore Job’s continued dialogue with his friends and his poignant reflections on suffering, isolation, and redemption. Job’s story invites us to pause, reflect, and consider how we respond to our own trials and the struggles of those around us.
The Isolation of Suffering
Job’s words reveal the depth of his pain:
"My relatives stay far away, and my friends have turned against me. My family is gone, and my close friends have forgotten me" (Job 19:13–14).
In suffering, Job feels not only the weight of his losses but also the sting of abandonment. This echoes a universal experience—how hardship can isolate us from those we once relied on.
A Declaration of Faith Amid Despair
Despite his isolation, Job proclaims one of the most hopeful declarations in Scripture:
"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last" (Job 19:25).
The Hebrew word for “Redeemer,” Goel, speaks of a next of kin who redeems, avenges, or ransoms. For Job, this Redeemer is personal and living, providing a profound assurance that transcends his earthly suffering.
Word of the Day: Pause
Definition: To halt or rest in action or speech.
In Job’s story, we see moments where both Job and his friends could have benefited from a pause—a space to reflect, listen, and seek God’s wisdom before speaking.
The Wisdom of Pausing Before Responding
Job’s friend Zophar remarks, “I must reply because I am greatly disturbed” (Job 20:2). This impulsive need to respond without understanding mirrors how we sometimes react in conversations, especially during difficult discussions.
Reflecting on Job’s story and my own experiences, I have learned the value of pausing to pray and seek wisdom. During a conversation with Ron Deal, a FamilyLife Blended leader, he shared this insight: In moments of grief, being a supportive friend means listening, gently encouraging, and praying for God’s guidance.
The Role of the Redeemer
Job’s declaration that his Redeemer lives foreshadows the ultimate redemption found in Christ. Today, we understand that Jesus is our Redeemer, offering hope and salvation. His sacrifice secures our eternity with God, enabling us to proclaim with confidence, “My Redeemer lives.”
Practical Applications
- Pause to Pray: Before responding to someone’s pain, pause to seek God’s wisdom and guidance.
- Be Present: Offer support by listening rather than rushing to fix or explain their struggles.
- Embrace Faith: Trust in your Redeemer, knowing He works through trials to bring about His purpose.
- Pray for Others: Intercede for those who are grieving or struggling, asking God to reveal Himself as their Redeemer.
- Find Comfort in Eternity: Like Job, remember that our suffering is temporary compared to the eternal glory promised to us (Romans 8:18).
Redeemed Through Suffering
Job’s story reminds us that in our trials, we can find hope in God’s redemptive plan. Whether we are enduring hardship or supporting others in their struggles, let us pause to pray, reflect, and trust in our living Redeemer.
January 25
Job 22-25
Purified Through Trials
In today’s reading, we revisit the intense dialogues between Job and his friends, particularly focusing on Eliphaz’s pointed accusations. The narrative, rich with dramatic irony and profound theological insight, reminds us of the role of suffering in God’s redemptive plan and the refining process of faith.
Eliphaz’s Accusations: A Misguided Perspective
Eliphaz, hailing from Teman—a city renowned for wisdom—levels accusations at Job, asserting that his suffering stems from sin. This reflects the cultural understanding of the time: suffering was often seen as divine punishment.
However, we, as readers, are privy to the heavenly conversation between God and Satan—a perspective hidden from Job and his friends. The irony underscores that Job’s trials are not due to sin but are a divine test of his faith.
The Wisdom of Bildad and the Quest for Redemption
Bildad’s question, “How can a mortal be innocent before God?” points to humanity’s need for redemption. Even in the depths of Job’s suffering, we glimpse the foreshadowing of Christ’s salvation—our ultimate path to purity before God.
Word of the Day: Pure
Definition: Free from impurities; unmixed or untainted.
Job’s declaration, “I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:10), encapsulates the essence of divine testing. The trials we endure often act as a furnace, melting away impurities and refining our character.
Reflections on Purification Through Trials
Job’s unwavering faith in the midst of suffering invites us to reflect on our own challenges. Trials, while painful, are often opportunities for growth. Just as gold is refined in fire, our faith is purified through adversity, revealing a deeper dependence on God.
I (Tricia) have experienced this firsthand in the challenges of adopting children from traumatic backgrounds. The trials stripped away my pride, teaching me humility and empathy. These refining moments, though difficult, drew me closer to God and transformed my heart.
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 resonate deeply:
"We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God."
In these moments, we learn to surrender fully to God, finding peace and strength in His presence.
Embracing Refinement in Our Lives
- Trust the Process: Recognize that trials are part of God’s refining work in your life.
- Seek God’s Presence: Use moments of suffering to draw closer to God, finding comfort and strength in Him.
- Reflect on Growth: Consider how past challenges have shaped your character and brought you closer to God.
- Encourage Others: Share your experiences of God’s refining work to inspire and uplift those around you.
The Beauty of Purity in God’s Plan
Job’s story reminds us that our trials are not merely obstacles but divine opportunities to grow in faith and purity. As we endure hardships, let us hold onto the promise that God is with us, refining us to reflect His image more fully.
