Helping People Through Troubled Times

 “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came everyone from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.” (Job 2:11-13)

   Job was a wealthy man with ten children. The Bible also describes him as “…perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil.” (Job 1:1) One day Satan told God that Job only served Him because God blessed him so much. If things went wrong, Satan said, Job would curse God to His face. God allowed Satan to do his dirty work. Satan did. Job’s finances were wrecked, his servants massacred, his seven sons died, and he became covered in boils.

   As our passage goes on, Job’s friends learn what happened. They went to mourn with him and comfort him. We don’t know if any of the friends were married or had kids, but they were all apparently close friends with Job, since they took seven days out of their lives to be with him.

   Here is an example of how we apply Bible truth to our lives. This story is not just about a man who faced terrible tragedies and dealt with them. It is also about helping people through a tough time. One important way to show you care about people going through a tough time is to be there for them. Job’s friends showed they cared about him by being there for him.

   Our verse also says, “…and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”They may not have said anything because they didn’t know what to say. What do you do with someone who has lost seven kids, or even one? Give them a hug and say, “Sorry about your loss.” “Love you.” “Praying for you.” “If you need anything, call me.” Does that do any good?

   In a way, it does because you’re expressing love and support. The words are not so important as the fact that you took time to be there. Think of it this way: if you were in their position, what would you expect your friends to say to you? Probably something similar?

   People grieving may also not be at their emotional best. After all these misfortunes came upon Job, his wife said, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” (Job 2:9) In all fairness to her, she had also lost seven kids, and Job’s financial loss affected her. No doubt she was a sweet lady, and if she were anything like Job, she strived to be a godly lady. Her words may have been just spoken at a bad moment. Don’t we all have bad moments at times?

   Trouble also comes in many forms. A public service ad years ago featured kids in a classroom. A narrator asked, “Can you tell which child has epilepsy? If not, don’t feel stupid. Neither can the teacher.” When you see people, can you tell who has marriage trouble? A wayward child? A liquor or gambling problem? A kind word is not hard to give, and it can do much good. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop; but a good word maketh it glad.”