Daily devotion – A lesson from Job’s comforters
Wisdom from Job’s Comforters
Job 2: 11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him. 12 And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.
When we are hurting, we value the presence of a friend who will just listen. But when someone we know is going through a tough time, we often are tempted to do everything but listen. We babble on and give unwanted advice to them, instead of letting them share their burdens with us!
Job’s friends did a first-class job in providing comfort and support to Job after all his troubles – until they opened their mouths.
Often the best thing you can do is listen quietly when a friend has a problem, letting them share their feelings and assuring them that you care, even if you do not have any answers!
So, when friends are hurting – ask God to help you be an encourager and a load carrier.
Solomon wrote – There is a time for everything…a time to be silent and a time to speak. Ecc 3:1,7.