Job 42:1-7 NLT
Then Job replied to the Lord:

2 “I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
things far too wonderful for me.
4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.’
5 I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
6 I take back everything I said,
and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

So lately
in talking to friends and listening to different pastors and speakers, I’ve noticed they have consistently touched on two things:

1-Everyone goes through stuff.
2-Keep your nose in the Word.
Why?
Because in the first case, it’s the way this world is, and in the second case, it’s healthy for you.
Nobody is immune to calamity, but those who know their Father walk away unbroken.
Yes, you may be broken by the Holy Spirit in order that you can be recreated in his image but the calamity the world cannot break you.

There’s this interesting thing about people. We need to believe in something.
So, if you are not close to the Word, learning about your Father and his love for you, you will be susceptible to believe anything.
Especially rumors.
Rumors are dangerous, and throughout the Word, we are warned not to believe them, speak them, or be affected by them.
Why?
Because they’re second-hand information and we are to search for the truth in everything before making it a part of us.

We don’t have faith in the second-hand. We have faith in the Real.

Job repented when he discovered that when he encountered the Father for real, all he had heard about was only hearsay, second-hand, and rumor.

I believe I need to repent for being a consumer of second-hand information instead of searching for the Real Thing.

Laziness. I have no excuse.
Lord forgive me.

-Alan