Read Job 2:11-13
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
- Proverbs 12:23 (NIV)
“I can’t imagine how you must feel.” The grief my friend experienced when her husband died was palpable, but I realized there was nothing I could say to make it better. Sometimes the insecurity we feel for not saying the “right” thing can lead us to say the “wrong” thing.
Jewish tradition has held that mourners are to keep silent until the bereaved person speaks. It’s a good practice because it can give us time to consider what we should say, preventing us from saying something that is not helpful.
Even after this time of silence, our responsibility to choose our words with care remains. Job’s friends may have been silent until he spoke; but when they did speak, their questions turned into accusations against Job and God. Their words were tinged with judgment and blame, causing Job even more pain.
Like Job’s friends, I have often felt the need to offer my opinion or question circumstances in an attempt to explain God. Such an attitude has done little to show me and others who God is. By listening to God’s guidance we can discern when and how to comfort those who are hurting.
Thought for the Day:
Sometimes God’s greatest comfort comes through our silent presence.
Prayer: Teach us, Lord, to sit quietly with those who are grieving. Fill us with peace so that we can comfort them in their time of sorrow. Amen.
Prayer Focus: THOSE COMFORTING THE BEREAVED
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves, but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.
“I can’t imagine how you must feel.” The grief my friend experienced when her husband died was palpable, but I realized there was nothing I could say to make it better. Sometimes the insecurity we feel for not saying the “right” thing can lead us to say the “wrong” thing.
Jewish tradition has held that mourners are to keep silent until the bereaved person speaks. It’s a good practice because it can give us time to consider what we should say, preventing us from saying something that is not helpful.
Even after this time of silence, our responsibility to choose our words with care remains. Job’s friends may have been silent until he spoke; but when they did speak, their questions turned into accusations against Job and God. Their words were tinged with judgment and blame, causing Job even more pain.
Like Job’s friends, I have often felt the need to offer my opinion or question circumstances in an attempt to explain God. Such an attitude has done little to show me and others who God is. By listening to God’s guidance we can discern when and how to comfort those who are hurting.
Thought for the Day:
Sometimes God’s greatest comfort comes through our silent presence.
Prayer: Teach us, Lord, to sit quietly with those who are grieving. Fill us with peace so that we can comfort them in their time of sorrow. Amen.
Prayer Focus: THOSE COMFORTING THE BEREAVED
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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