Encouragement or Discouragement?

Today’s Reading – Job 5 – 7 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers Read – Galatians 4 – 6; Psalms 26 – 30; Proverbs 6)

Read the 0606 Evening and Morning post by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage –The Chastening of the Almighty

“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?” (Job 6:24-25)

In our passage this morning we read the conversation betweeen Job and his friends. In chapter 5, we read the continuation of what was said by Eliphaz to Job, and in chapters 6 – 7, we see Job’s reply. These friends of Job came to comfort him because of the anguish that he was experiencing. I believe that they were sincere in what they were trying to do because they waited for a full week with Job without saying anything. I think that they really wanted to help him, but I am also sure that they did not understand what Job was going through, nor did the have a clu as to why this was happening to him. They assumed that Job was receiving punishment for something that he had done. Our friends and family members oftentimes do not know how to react when we are going through the dark days. When you get down to it, it is really impossible for people outside of our situation to completely identify or understand what we are going through.  Sometimes when people try to help, they can often cause more trouble for us with the things that they say.  I guess we often ask for the added problems because we so desire to have the fellowship of people around us, especially when we are hurting.

My advice to you that are hurting right now is to try to understand the lack of understanding on the part of your “encouragers”. Try to appreciate their motivation to help you, but don’t be too frustrated by the help itself.  Understand also that you may be the one who is not seeing things clearly and the people who are trying to help you might just be right about what they are saying, though you may not want to hear it.

My advice to you who would try to encourage those that are hurting is that you would be slow to judge, and slow to speak.  Give a listening ear and let them vent a little; let them cry on your shoulder for a while.  There will eventually come a time when they will need to move forward but give them a little space to see what God is doing their lives. Remember, someday it will be you that is going through the valley and you will be glad that there are others around you who are patient and understanding with you.

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)


Posted in Thoughts from Job by with 6 comments.
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C Stahl
C Stahl
6 years ago

True

Carolyn Poole
Carolyn Poole
5 years ago

Amen

Gary Geiger
Gary Geiger
2 years ago

Good advice

Bob Fenton
Bob Fenton
2 years ago

Amen Pastor.I think the best way to approach
someone that is dealing with a problem is to pray first and search the scriptures and give advice in loving caring spirit.

Bob Fenton
Bob Fenton
1 year ago

Amen Pastor.True words spoken.And I know I am one person that needs to take advice from those around me concerning my health problems, my family and my Church family and I do know that they all love me .And also I need to listen to my body most of all which I am at odds with.like the post.

Desiree Ann Jones
Desiree Ann Jones
9 months ago

di not get discouraged pick yourself up and keep going. even if you feel discouraged dont let things get to you. we are in this together forever we are a church family that sticks together. and doesnt give up. we are achievers. that can do anything in life.

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