Have you been going through a terrible trial and no one seems to really understand? Everyone seems to have words and plenty of advice… but somehow their words seem empty, and sometimes downright cruel!
Job, the ancient patriarch, would understand!
He told his “comforters” – His so called “friends”: “Worthless physicians are you all! Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!” (13:4-5) Now, I’m sure they were sincere in their desire to help. They thought they knew the reasons for Job’s problems, and they certainly thought they had the answers for him.
But Job told them, “In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune!” (12:5) Wow! Isn’t that true! It’s easy to criticize when you’re comfortable – answers abound when it appears that we’re the ones that “have it all together” and things are going well!
Job went on, however, He asked, “Will it be well with you when God searches you out? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay!” (13:9, 12)
Our friends usually mean well, but there are limitations on what they can do. Compassionate comforters understand the value of “presence” and carefully weighed words of encouragement and counsel.
But frankly, where does the best help come from? From Someone who has been through trials like ours and understands us and our situation at the deepest level… Someone with unlimited ability to know our situation and help us! That “Someone” is the Lord Jesus Christ! Here’s what the Bible says about Him, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need!” (Hebrews 4:15-16)
Let me be one voice to encourage you to do precisely that! Talk to Him frankly about your situation, your feelings, your struggle! He understands! He can help you!
