When
we come across those who for good reason are in terrible despair, we
must cut them some slack. It would have been wonderful if one of the
"friends" had put an arm around Job's shoulder and wept
with him, saying, "We love you, Job. We do not pretend to
understand. But we love you, and we'll do whatever we can for you."
~D. A. Carson, For the Love of God, Vol. 2
Very timely for me.(as so often happens) after recently witnessing an older woman giving very harsh advise to a broken hearted lady. I said to those present later that as older women, we know the biblical admonitions but we need wisdom to temper it with loving empathy and sympathy. This is were the black and white approach ( "God is working it all together for good" "wives submit") lacks graciousness. Sometimes the hurting one just needs to hear, "This is a hard providence" and "my heart aches for you" :-)
ReplyDeleteOh, Amen! to that, Ruby. After suffering two miscarriages in a row, a close friend gave the hardest words to me, implying it was my fault. It was a shocking pain. I wasn't even trying to understand the why of it all, I just wanted someone to cry with me.
DeleteGreat quote, Trisha. Our pastor has been preaching through Job, and I am struck again at his friends' insensitivity, harshness, and lack of compassion. One brother in our small group said his friends had certain categories which did not include the righteous suffering. As a result, they forced Job and his situation into their rigidly constructed box and refused to consider that God might be doing something off their radar. Makes me wonder about the categories we impose on others, hurting them in the process.
ReplyDeleteI know I've been guilty of that, Persis. Yes, Carson refers to Job's suffering and those like it as "innocent suffering." Of course, part of me bristles at that when I think of "innocent" but I know what Carson means here. Job's friends had no such category.
DeleteLove the quote, it's so very true!
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteThank you, once again, my sweet friend...for your posts...your blog...your heart! Love you! XO
ReplyDeleteI love you, too, Camille, and thank God for your constant encouragement and compassion. xo
DeleteAn important lesson in a few words.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Becky. I'm thankful for a pastor who would comfort us this way and for friends, like you, too. What a gift from the LORD.
DeleteSo much said in so few words. This is wonderful advice. I have often wondered about poor Job's "friends" too.
ReplyDeleteLove you~
Yes,these are good words to remember. Who among us doesn't have someone who isn't suffering in some very hard way right now? And this follows with "Do unto others..." I love you, too!
DeleteVery true words!
ReplyDeleteOh, Crystal...I know you know this so well. It SO good to hear from you, and I praise God for the way you praise Him in the midst of this storm. You and your family continue to be in our prayers. Anything I can say seems so inadequate. {hugs}
ReplyDelete