Foolish Things Christians Believe: My Suffering Is Not Fruitless Day 5

Comforting Job


And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 ESV

Check out Job’s story (Job 2:11-13). His friends offered their presence in his suffering by sitting and observing in silence for seven days and seven nights. Good plan! Then they open their mouths and blame Job for his own pain. We may be afraid to enter someone’s pain but be careful not to make it worse. Here are important basics for giving people a new perspective on their pain.

Offering your presence, showing personal concern may uncomfortably cross someone’s boundaries, yet that’s exactly what Jesus did. He didn’t wait to be invited. In Jesus, we see the best way to show personal concern is to enter with your whole person into the painful situation. Yes, it might hurt.

As you get involved in the situation, you are showing God’s value and meaning of life, even in the darkest hour. Watch carefully and faithfully for the Holy Spirit to reveal the true potential held within this suffering. Don’t spout words about things working for the best. Watch for God’s best and share what you see.

Everyone holds the inevitability of death in common. Share the outgoing hope that looks for tomorrow with Jesus beyond death. That marvelous vision relies on the promise of God. This hope prevents us from clinging to the “now” and frees us to enter the unexperienced “then” God has redeemed us for.