Every story has conflict – what makes a good story is how the characters deal with the conflict that arises. Do they run and hide when things get tough, choosing to avoid the conflict? Do they try to hurriedly fix whatever has been broken in an attempt to get through the struggle as quickly as possible? Do they point the finger and shift the blame, refusing to deal with the problem at hand? Or do they stay and face it, choosing to allow their difficulties to change and transform them?

We see this play out in the book of Job. Different characters in the story attempt to deal with conflict in a myriad of ways, but in the end (Job 38:1-5) Job is reminded that the story is so much bigger than him and his suffering. In the end, Job comes away transformed because he has seen God in the midst of his pain.

Questions for Reflection:

• What role do you see conflict playing in the arc of a story?

• How do you typically respond to conflict in your own life?

• Are you familiar with the story of Job? If so, how have you understood the story in the past?

• How does this new understanding of conflict change the way you understand the story of Job?

• How does this new understanding of conflict change the way you understand your own story?

• What conflict is currently present in your life that you could allow to transform you in the coming days?