Why Do We Long for the Past?

Why do we daydream about the past so often? Why do we think times were better years ago? Maybe it’s because the past feels safe—we know what happened, and it’s already labeled and understood. The future, on the other hand, is uncertain, and uncertainty can be unsettling.

Job’s “Good Old Days”

In chapter 29, Job reflects on the “good old days,” a time when he had everything he could possibly want. He associates those blessings with God’s favor, believing that God was close to him during those moments. This feels very human, doesn’t it? We often link our happiest times to a sense of being aligned with something bigger—whether it’s destiny, the universe, or a higher power.

In Christianity, there’s an idea that God is always present, in both the highs and the lows. But what about the God of the Old Testament? Is Job right to think God has abandoned him?

A Lament for Lost Identity

Job’s memories in chapter 29 read like the lament of someone trying to make sense of his suffering by revisiting a brighter, easier past. He describes how respected and admired he once was, how his presence brought joy and justice to others. There’s something poignant about the way he recounts these memories, as though saying them aloud helps him hold onto a version of himself that now feels distant and unreachable.

Universal Longing for Better Days

Job’s thoughts feel timeless because they capture a universal longing for better days—times when we felt secure, valued, and aligned with a purpose. When Job remembers how others respected and admired him, it highlights how much we all crave recognition and a sense of connection to something bigger.