Daily Devotions
Comforting the Sorrowful
Title:
Reading for May 30: Job 13-16
Then Job answered and said:
"I have heard many such things;
miserable comforters are you all."
Job 16:1-2
What do you say to comfort someone when they are suffering? Obviously, Job's friends show us what NOT to do. But what should we say?
1. Speak words of comfort from scripture. After Paul writes about the second coming in 1 Thessalonians 4, he says, "Therefore encourage one another with these words." Words from scripture that remind us of our hope in Christ bring comfort.
2. Use your own experience with God's grace in times of suffering. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Cor 1:3-4 If God has brought you through a similar time of suffering, it can be comforting to share that experience.
3. Just be there. "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus..." 2 Cor 7:6 You don't necessarily have to SAY anything to bring comfort to someone. Job's friends sat down with him for seven days before they even spoke a word (Job 2:13). Sometimes our presence is the best comfort we can offer.
Father, give us opportunities to share your Word, our experiences with your grace, and our presence with those who are suffering.
