In Frank Capra’s 1946 movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey was lamenting his life. When his uncle had seemingly lost the money from the Savings and Loan that George ran, he saw no way to reconcile the situation. In a moment of deep discouragement, he told his guardian angel, Clarence, “It would have been better if I had never been born at all.”

After Job’s friends had sat with him in silence for several days, he expressed his anguish to them. Not only did he wish he had never been born but he cursed the day of his birth (v. 3). He desired that the day be removed from the record of days (v. 6). Rhetorically he asked: Why didn’t he die in childbirth? (v. 11). Better yet, why didn’t he die in his mother’s womb? (v. 16).

In previous chapters, Job had not had time to process all that had happened to him. However, after a week of contemplation (2:13), the reality of his situation sunk in. Here, he is verbally processing the recent events in his life and wondering, “Would things have been better, if I had not lived?” If he had not employed those servants, they would still have been alive. If Job didn’t have children, they would not have experienced a terrible death. If he had not lived, he would not be enduring health issues.

In times of great loss, it is natural to ask “what if” questions. However, these questions don’t resolve the hurt or the loss. They do point us to God who reminds us that despite the loss, we are very valuable to Him. Psalm 139 reminds us: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (vv. 13–14).

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