Loving Your Hurting Friends
Main Scripture:
"Three of Job's friends were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to demonstrate their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. And no one said a word, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words." (Job 2:11-13, NLT)
Other Scriptures: Job 13:4-5; Psalm 62:1-2; Proverbs 17:27-28; 2 Corinthians 1:4
What Jesus Might Say to You: Your friends are hurting. How can you help? How can you comfort and encourage them in their times of need? What do you say? It's definitely not easy.
Please don't feel like you have to provide them with answers to solve their problems and ease their pain. Take some pointers from Job's three friends. Job suffered great tragedy and his friends responded. What did they do right? What did they do wrong?
When they first heard the news, they grieved deeply with Job. They simply sat with him in his despair for seven days. Later on they attempted to give Job some advice on the reasons and solutions for these tragedies. What was Job's response? He says, "You are merely useless doctors, who treat me with lies. The wisest thing you can do is to keep quiet" (Job 13:4-5, CEV). Oops. They should have stuck with their first response!
Does this ever happen to you--you try to help but make things worse? To sympathize you say, "I know how you feel," but your friend responds, "No, you don't. No one does!"
Answers are overrated--it's your presence that is powerful. Comfort your friend the way I comfort you (2 Corinthians 1:4). I hold you close and remind you of my love for you. This is more powerful than simply giving you a to-do list of solutions to fix pain. I am simply there with you and want you to rest in me. I am the only way to true hope and peace.
Comfort your friends. Be with them. Listen to them. Meet them where they're at. Do as I do. Whether they know me or not, you will be pointing them to me. Pain is a powerful doorway for my love.
Your Guide in comforting others, Jesus
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