Complaints often come out of nowhere, especially when we experience situations or conditions that are beyond our expectations and imaginations. Naturally, we are invited to always give thanks to God for everything He has done, but sometimes complaints are just uttered, especially when facing heavy burdens that suffocate the soul. Does this mean that complaining is a sign of our unbelief and disobedience to Him? Interestingly, in the Bible, the perspective is not that black and white. There are times when those who complain are rebuked by God, but often we also see that there is room for believers to express their complaints to God in prayer. For example, as seen in the book of Psalms and also Job's cry and prayer in our reading this time.

The book of Job chapter 7 contains Job's prayer to God. It is in that prayer that Job's grievances are conveyed to God as the only place where he hopes. In the first half of chapter 7, verses 1-10, the theme highlighted is the transience of human life and the struggles that surround life. Humans are portrayed as creatures who must undergo the struggle on earth. They continue to serve and work tirelessly even though there is no certainty of the future. Only bitterness accompanies human life. This is what Job felt. Days and months passed without any clarity on his fate. Everything was like vanity (v.3).

Even in sleep, Job no longer felt calm. Anxiety struck Job as the body's response to his suffering. Restlessness became his companion until morning. It was at this point that Job was again exposed to the thought that tranquility might only be found in the world of the dead, because his life was very short and temporary. In all these cries Job addressed God once again and asked Him to act. His life is only temporary, so if it is too late Job will be gone like a breath that quickly disappears.

Through our careful reading of today's text it can actually be concluded that all Job's complaints are a form of his contemplation of absolute dependence on God. The suffering he experienced was a representation of the transience of life that is so short as a breath. The only one who could help him was God, who transcends the transience of creation and is the source of all life. Complaining is a form of honesty as a response to the appreciation of human existence in the midst of all the dynamics of life that occur. As long as the response is placed in a relationship with Allah alone. Don't we complain and complain to the one who makes us comfortable. Maybe we don't get an answer immediately, but knowing that our heart cry is addressed to the right figure will slightly treat the soul anxiety that is so pressing. That figure is the Lord God the Owner of Life.