Longing: A lonely heart can be filled by someone, but a longing heart is a heart that cannot be filled by ‘the particular person.’ When the mind feels strange, it is important to first determine whether the feeling stems from a lack of self-generated needs or from not being filled by the object of longing. Loneliness can progress easily, but longing carries a high risk of self-destruction if not handled carefully. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
The most difficult writing in the Bible that I’ve ever read is ‘Job.’ In introducing ‘Job,’ the Bible states that he was a rich man of strong faith and the head of a happy family, but it does not explain the origins of the blessings he enjoyed. As he endures indescribable hardships, the reasons for his suffering remain unclear. In other words, he was blessed without explanation and suffered without explanation. The first part of the book of Job, which describes his blessings, contrasts with the latter part, in which he loses everything and eventually recovers for the first time. Yet, there is no explanation for this recovery either. Job’s life serves as a profound example of human experience. For many, the most painful aspect is to enjoy blessings without reason and to lose those blessings without reason. Our lives compel us to confront this reality, and that is the essence of our existence. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”