Maybe what that person needs most is a shoulder to lean on and the quiet presence of someone who cares. For whatever reason, we often feel that we must say something spiritual and insightful to someone in pain. I have learned that the best response to another’s suffering is a silent presence. He loved His Son, but He allowed Jesus to suffer because of the greater result. We must never assume that simply because God loves us He will always keep us from suffering. At the same time, it is also true that sometimes we suffer by no fault of our own. And, we must remember that there is no such thing as an “innocent” person because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The whole created order is groaning because of Adam’s choice to sin against God. We tend to forget that the ultimate reason for suffering in the world is the presence of sin and its consequences in the world. Their reasoning goes something like this: “If God were truly loving, then why would He allow so much pain and suffering in the world?” Such reasoning is short-sighted and ill informed. One of the hardest issues that people often have with coming to faith is the subject of suffering. Job’s friends believed that no innocent person would suffer like Job was suffering. According to their wisdom, Job was suffering because of an area of unconfessed sin in his life. They mistakingly assumed that tragedy and suffering in life represent some kind of punishment for sin. Instead, they opened their mouths and tried to solve all of Job’s problems by offering him unsolicited and insensitive advice.
Had they remained silent, it would have been to their advantage. At first, the Bible says that they come and simply sit in silence with him to offer him some comfort. If his losses were his first difficulty, and if his sores were his second difficulty, his friends would prove to be a third and perhaps most frustrating difficulty. Upon learning of his problems, Job’s three friends come to offer their help. His wife even encouraged him to curse God and die. Next, he was struck with a plague of painful sores that reeked havoc on his body. He lost his fortune and family all in the same day. In the opening chapters of the book, we read of how Job’s life was attacked by Satan. Most of the book of Job is a conversation that takes place between Job and these individuals. Their names are Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Unfortunately, we read in the Bible that Job had these kinds of friends. Thanks.Īmanda: Wait, I'm picking up a lot more things for you.I’m sure you have heard this before: “With friends like these, who needs enemies?” It is a phrase that is often used to describe those who claim to be your friends, yet are not very friendly in the way they treat you. _Me:_Well, this has been, um, illuminating. _Me:_Yeah, I guess there are a lot of dishonest people out there. Well, let me ask you this: If I don't meet the right person in a few months, or if I meet a woman who doesn't fit your description at all, can I call you and get my money back?Īmanda (this time without a second's pause): Oh, no way! There is no possible way that that can happen! It wouldn't be fair to us 'cause we're telling those people the true facts about them and if they happen, anybody can call and say, `your prediction didn't happen, I want my money back,' and for us to return that, that would be going on all day long, seven days a week. I'm trying to look for it, if it comes up in the cards. Me (after 20 seconds): Does she live abroad? Is it a really long number?Īmanda: No, it's not that. _Me:_Oh goody! You couldn't speed things up a little by giving me her phone number, could you? You are going to have a very beautiful relationship for six or seven months, and then you're gonna ask her to marry you, and she's gonna accept. Her height is about 5-6 she'll be weighing like around 135 she'll have short blond hair and blue eyes. But in just a few months, you'll be finding a woman. Not only will I have a long and happy life, I am going on a trip sometime soon! Somewhere out of the city! And as for my love life: my psychic - my guaranteed genuine and certified, definitely not the least bit phony spiritual helper - was very encouraging.Īmanda: I am picking up through your cards that you haven't had nobody in your life for a while. Do you want me to lay them out in a triangle or a box?Īmanda (after 30 seconds): OK, right now (yawn), I'll be able to tune into your cards and let you know what's in store for your future.
Me (timidly): Would I be offending your psychic powers if I asked you to do it quickly? Because I am paying $3.99 a minute.Īmanda (unperturbed): I'm gonna lay the cards out for you.
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