When Following God Is Hard: Job, Psalm 88, and the Cost of Discipleship

Job and Psalm 88 give voice to anguish, while Paul and Jesus point us toward a faith centered on Christ.

These readings do not offer a simple escape from suffering. Job asks how a human being can contend with God. Psalm 88 cries out from a darkness that does not lift by the end of the prayer. Saint Paul speaks of giving up every claim to self-made righteousness in order to gain Christ. And Jesus calls would-be disciples to follow Him without endlessly postponing their answer.

Together, they hold two truths: we may bring our pain honestly before God, and Christ is worthy of our whole-hearted response.

Job: The limits of human understanding

In Job 9:1–12, 14–16, Job recognizes the vastness of God’s power. He wonders how a human being could prove himself right before the One who made and governs creation. Even if God answered him, Job says, he could not assume that he had mastered the reason for his suffering.

Job is not calmly offering a tidy explanation for tragedy. He is struggling to understand what has happened to him. His words show both awe before God and the anguish of someone who longs to be heard. The book of Job cautions us against explaining another person’s suffering as though we knew God’s hidden purpose. The Catechism calls the problem of evil a “mystery” and teaches that God is not the author of moral evil, even as He can bring good from evil (CCC 309–314).

Psalm 88: A prayer that does not hide the darkness

The psalmist asks whether the dead can praise God’s wonders and whether His faithfulness can be known in the grave. He calls on the Lord, asks why God seems to hide His face, and describes himself as overwhelmed by affliction (Psalm 88:10–15).

Psalm 88 is striking because it does not end with a quick resolution. It remains a prayer. The person suffering still addresses God, even when no comfort is yet visible. Scripture makes room for lament; believers do not have to pretend that grief has disappeared in order to pray faithfully. The Catechism describes humility as the foundation of prayer: we come to God in need, trusting ourselves to Him (CCC 2559).

Paul: Christ is greater than our own credentials

In Philippians 3:8–9, Paul says that he counts everything as loss compared with the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus. He does not place his confidence in a righteousness he has achieved for himself. He desires instead to be found in Christ, receiving righteousness through faith.

Paul is not saying that life, family, or creation has no value. He is describing a change in what comes first. Accomplishments and status cannot save us. Our deepest hope is not that we have earned God’s favor, but that we belong to Christ and receive His gift.

Jesus: Do not postpone the call forever

In Luke 9:57–62, three people respond to Jesus’ call in different ways. One promises to follow wherever Jesus goes. Jesus answers that the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head: following Him may mean giving up the security this person expects.

Another asks first to bury his father. Jesus replies, “Let the dead bury their dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” A third says he will follow but first wants to say farewell to his family. Jesus answers that no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God.

These are challenging sayings, not permission to despise family or disregard every human duty. The command to honor parents remains. Jesus uses urgent, startling language to show that discipleship cannot be postponed indefinitely until every uncertainty is settled or every comfort is guaranteed. The question is whether we will let the Kingdom of God claim first place in our lives.

The Catechism teaches that Jesus calls His disciples to prefer Him above everything and everyone for His sake and the Gospel (CCC 2544). That does not make love for family or neighbor less important. It orders every love around Christ, so that we can serve others without making comfort, status, or fear our ultimate guide. The call to follow Jesus includes taking up the cross and walking in His way (CCC 618).

Holding anguish and discipleship together

Job’s questions and Psalm 88’s lament keep us from turning Jesus’ words into a demand that suffering people silence their pain. Christ does not ask us to pretend that loss is easy. We can grieve, ask God hard questions, and seek support from others while continuing to place our hope in Him.

At the same time, the Gospel asks us not to wait for perfect circumstances before we love and serve. Paul’s words remind us that knowing Christ is worth more than the status or self-reliance we might cling to. Jesus’ call is not that we earn salvation by giving up enough; it is an invitation to trust Him and let His Kingdom shape our choices.

When following God feels hard, we can pray honestly like Job and the psalmist, receive our hope as a gift rather than a personal achievement, and take the next faithful step Christ asks of us. We may not understand all that God permits, but we can bring our questions to Him and keep walking with Jesus.

For reflection

• What pain or question do I need to bring honestly to God?
• Am I relying on my own accomplishments, or placing my confidence in Christ?
• What faithful step am I tempted to delay until life feels more secure?

A prayer

Lord Jesus, receive my honest questions and stay near me in suffering. Teach me to trust in Your gift rather than my own achievements. Give me courage to answer Your call today, and help me order every love around You. Amen.

Scripture and Catechism references

• Scripture: Job 9:1–12, 14–16; Psalm 88:10–15; Philippians 3:8–9; Luke 9:57–62.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church: CCC 309–314 (the mystery of evil and God’s providence); CCC 2559 (humility in prayer); CCC 2544 (preferring Christ above all); CCC 618 (sharing in Christ’s way of the Cross).