Consoling the Suffering

Sometimes when we attempt to console suffering friends and loved ones with biblical truths, we do more harm than good.  These are the times when our need to be right or our desire to protect what we understand to be truth gets in the way of compassion and love. If we aren’t careful, we undermine our own efforts to provide comfort and share God’s love at a time when people need it most. Studying the efforts of Job’s friends helps us be aware of where we might run into trouble. It also shows us how we can more faithfully represent God and more lovingly comfort the suffering.