“So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great” (Job 2:13).
I cannot begin to imagine the profound grief that Job experienced. Simply profound. I know the grief through which my family, friends, and I am traveling after the Homegoing of my wife Karen. Take my grief and multiply it many times for poor Job. His comforters did their best work when they were quiet. It all started to unravel when we read in Job 4:1, “Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said…” I am blessed in that I have had very few unkind and thoughtless words shared with me. I have been surrounded by people who genuinely care and were there to support me. Who do you know that is grieving today? Don’t say, “I know how you feel.” Rather, simply tell your friend, “I cannot imagine how you are feeling. But I care. I wanted you to know that.” You will never believe how much that will help.
For today: Don’t be a Job’s comforter. If you don’t know what to say, don’t stay away, just be honest and care.