Today’s Reading, Job 14-16
Focal Scripture: Job 16:5 “Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.”
Have you ever had a bad experience with a person but they believed they had good intentions? Several times in my life this happened, especially when I was going through a serious life event. The person was trying to be helpful but instead of giving comfort they caused more stress or tried to blame me for the circumstances I was facing. I know they were doing their best but I think people miss how much damage they can cause with a poor choice of words or a terrible attitude.
In today’s reading Job tells his friends just how irritated he is by their consolation. His friends are blaming the sufferer instead of walking alongside him with love and compassion. Job just experienced complete finical loss. He just experienced the death of all of his children. He is suffering physically and he is mentally exhausted. In a raw moment like that his friends just needed to be present. However, they missed the mark.
How do you encourage people who are suffering? Are you one who asks a bunch of questions and tries to imply that what they are going through is based on their own decisions. Biblically we should invest in others when they are going through difficulties. True friendship and love means we don’t cast blame in times of crisis. It does mean we build up their hope in the Lord.
I want to be clear here that at some point a difficult conversation may need to happen if decisions are causing pain. However, it rarely needs to happen after a traumatic event. We should desire to be good friends who build a person up when life is falling apart. Our words should bring relief to others because we have the greatest hope anyone could need to survive.
As you walk through life, be an encourager. Build up the sufferer in their time of need. Be the friend you need when you have doubts, struggles, and questions. Too often believers shoot their own wounded. Let that not be said of me or you.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Job 17-20
