The Unseen Battle: Finding Solace in the Book of Job

"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth."

-Job 19:25

As a nonprofit dedicated to supporting combat veterans, "The Warfighters Mission" recognizes that the struggles these brave men and women go through are very unique. The physical and emotional scars of war could be overwhelming, where many feel isolated and alone. But very surprisingly, comfort can come in support from an unlikely source, the book of Job.

For those unfamiliar, the book of Job comprises the account of a righteous man who suffers the unthinkable. Losing everything, being plagued by boils, the death of his family, and being taunted by his friends. His story packs a very powerful look at the human condition: one of suffering and perseverance in the quest for meaning.

So, what does the book of Job have to do with combat veterans? The answer lies in the striking similarities between Job's experiences and those of our nation's warfighters.

The Invisible Enemy

In Job 1:6–12, Satan comes before the Lord to destroy Job's faith. In like manner, combat veterans are often assaulted by an invisible foe-one that is just as devastating as any other armed enemy they encountered. The emotional and psychological fallout from their days in theater can cripple them, sometimes weighing on one so heavily that it feels like they're fighting against something nobody else sees.

The Feeling of Abandonment

Job 19:13–22 is his cry to God after being abandoned and forsaken by friends and family. Indeed, many combat veterans have that sense of isolation, of being left behind by brothers and sisters in arms, families, even one's own country.

The Search for Meaning

The whole book of Job is a quest by Job, to understand why he suffers. Combat veterans also go on this same journey, working through the moral ambiguities of war and looking for some way to make sense of what they have gone through.

Hope and Redemption

Despite the dark tones of much of the book of Job, there is ultimately a message of hope and redemption. In Job 42:7-10, God turns around and restores Job's fortunes, blessing him with new life and fresh sensitivity toward the beauty of the world.

Combat veterans likewise find hope and redemption in their experiences. The possibility of finding community, support, and purpose through organizations like "The Warfighters Mission" helps to guide them through the struggles of post-combat life.

The book of Job therefore gives us this valuable reminder: we do not suffer in isolation. Veterans find particular solace in the knowledge that they're not alone in these struggles—this thing is not just a singular experience, but part of some larger human fabric.

As we strive to comfort and uplift our nation's warfighters, let us not forget the wisdom of Job 19:25, which reminds us, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth."

May that hope and promise of redemption bring them all comfort and strength who have served our country.

Support "The Warfighters Mission" today and help us to continue providing critical support to combat veterans and their families.