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Friend or Foe?

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Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

A Friend in Need. When we are suffering or struggling we long for the companionship of a friend; someone who will be by our side during our darkest times and possibly offer us some sense of hope. These are the moments in life you were not anticipating or desiring and yet, you are face to face with the unpleasant nature of your very present reality.
photo credit: aussiegall via photopin cc
 Pleasant words are a honeycomb

Friends Deceived. Job had three friends, who in the midst of his turmoil, remained silent for one whole week. After the week of silence, Job's three friends gave voice to their personal assessments of his suffering. The blame game began and they proceeded to tell Job that he was being disciplined by the Almighty (Job 5:17), that he had forgotten God and put his security elsewhere (Job 8:14-15), and finally Zophar declares that Job had been deceitful (Job 11:11).

The Sufferer Relieved. The Lord declares at the end of Job that he is angry with Job's three friends because [they] "you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has." (Job 42:7) So how do we act Godly in a situation with a friend who is suffering?


1.  We should not assume when someone suffers that it is because they are being disciplined by God for sin in their lives.
 
2.  Sometimes the best thing we can do when someone is suffering, is to be with them, and be quiet.
 
3.  We can trust the unanswered questions of the one who is suffering to God -- the One who understands and knows all. 

  

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