You have heard the expression, “With friends like these, who needs enemies.”
Well, this seems to be the situation in the book of Job. His “friends” were full of advice and were not hesitant to present it to him. They used rapid fire to pound him with their reasons for his suffering.
The more Job resisted their misplaced words, the more intense the pounding became.
Job finally told them just to be quiet: “You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent. For you, that would be wisdom.” Job 13:4-5.
Being silent is more important than giving unmerited advice. But sometimes we cherish Christian advice from others who have shared the same experiences.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Christ is the source of our true comfort, but friends are certainly needed in times of trouble or heartbreak. We all depend on our friends to hold us up and encourage us. As we go through trials, we are then able to have compassion on others and share with them how God brought us through.
We just have to stay close to the God of Comfort so our words and actions will lift up others in His name.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane