A few years ago, a patient’s plea echoed in my ears as I cared for her critically ill two-year-old daughter, admitted to the ICU with pneumonia: “Dr. Pauker, why did this happen? She’s such a baby. What could she have done wrong?” Her anguish resonated deeply, particularly as it mirrored the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis that, at the time, felt almost Biblical in scale. That question also brought to mind discussions within my psychoanalytic study group, where for over a decade we’d examined Biblical texts through a psychoanalytic lens. The core question we consistently returned to was this: How do we make sense of devastating loss when no explanation feels adequate?
The Book of Job, a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian tradition, offers a profound narrative for understanding loss and our confrontation with the inexplicable. It invites us to grapple with the age-old question: Why do the good and righteous suffer? Or, as it’s often phrased, why do bad things happen to good people?
The story centers on Job, a prosperous and righteous man whose faith is tested by Satan, with God’s permission. Job endures the rapid loss of his possessions, children and health. His wife, overwhelmed by grief, urges him to “curse God and die,” but Job steadfastly refuses to renounce his faith. Three friends arrive to offer counsel, insisting that Job must have committed some sin to deserve such punishment from a just God. Job vehemently maintains his innocence, asserting that his suffering is undeserved. A fourth friend suggests that human understanding is limited and that God’s ways are beyond comprehension, urging Job to accept his fate as part of a larger, unknowable divine plan. Job, enraged by this suggestion, challenges God directly, demanding an explanation for his suffering.
“It would have been better never to be born than to suffer such indignities, pain and humiliation!” he exclaims, demanding that God present his indictment so he can defend his innocence. God responds not with an explanation, but with a powerful display of creation’s majesty and complexity, questioning Job’s presumption to understand divine design. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” God asks, highlighting the vastness of his creation and the limitations of human understanding. Job is left speechless.
Remarkably, God rebukes Job’s friends for failing to speak truthfully about him, defending Job’s righteous anger and challenging of divine justice. The message is clear: humanity should not passively accept suffering, but rather hold God accountable for the suffering of the innocent, even if the ultimate reasons remain beyond our grasp. The story concludes with a restoration of Job’s fortunes, a return to prosperity and a long life, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the profound questions raised.
Loss often evokes a sense that the universe is arbitrary, indifferent, and devoid of meaning. These feelings are frequently observed in individuals experiencing clinical depression, leading to hopelessness, self-neglect, and a loss of perspective. As psychoanalysts, we observe that even within the most tumultuous experiences of loss and pain, patients can ultimately find meaning. This process of redefining one’s narrative is central to psychoanalysis and many forms of psychotherapy.
My clinical experience reveals a diverse range of reactions to loss. Some patients grapple with the belief that their loss is a punishment for past transgressions, while others view it as a test of faith. Some lose their faith entirely, questioning the existence or benevolence of God. Many experience guilt, questioning what they could have done differently. Others channel their grief into dedicating themselves to a cause in memory of their loved one.
The story of Job powerfully illustrates the importance of acknowledging and expressing rage in the face of adversity. Beneath the sadness, fear, pain, anger, and guilt lies a profound sense of injustice. This rage, when harnessed constructively, can be a pathway to recovery. Psychotherapy provides a safe and supportive space to process past experiences, revisit painful memories, and even confront thoughts one might prefer to forget. It creates a psychic space where past, present, and future can coexist, allowing for the emergence of forgiveness, acceptance, and a renewed determination to build a better future. Through the repeated telling and retelling of one’s story, a new narrative can emerge.
there is no easy answer to the problem of loss. Religious and philosophical traditions offer various attempts to soften the blow, but none can fully explain why bad things happen. Job’s story reminds us that it is permissible – even necessary – to express our anger and challenge the perceived injustice of suffering.
Fortunately, the child of my patient recovered and is now thriving. However, the experience of nearly losing her daughter remains a poignant memory for her mother. A crucial part of the healing process is recognizing and accepting our inherent vulnerability while simultaneously cultivating resilience. Therapy can help us navigate the unknowable aspects of life, fostering gratitude for what we have rather than fear of what might be lost or resentment for what we lack.
The enduring relevance of the Book of Job lies in its timeless exploration of fundamental human questions. And while the questions remain, we, as individuals, are not static. We evolve, we adapt, and we find ways to navigate the complexities of life, even in the face of profound loss.
