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 2:13
When I was in the hospital some years ago, some of my friends came to visit me. Not many, but some came. I don’t remember much of what they said or did (one brought me an interesting book), but I do remember their coming and visiting me when I was sick. I appreciated them for caring enough to come. We often criticize these three men who came to Job in his time of affliction, because they found fault with him and gave him inappropriate advice. But at least they came. They cared. And for seven days, they spent silent time in his presence, just being there when he most surely needed company. Those seven silent days were not wasted time.
What do you say when you visit somebody who is very sick, or who has just lost a loved one? Sometimes, we speak inappropriate words, and sometimes we speak when words are inappropriate. For seven days, Job’s friends got it right, they gave him their presence, not their words. Comfort does not necessarily lie in saying the right thing. But a hug and a sharing of tears is never inappropriate. I recall the story of a little boy who went next door to visit an elderly man whose wife had just died. His mother saw him sitting quietly on the old man’s knee for awhile. When he returned home, she asked him what he had told the old man. ‘Nothing,’ he replied, ‘I just helped him cry’.
There are many folks today who could use a bit of company. Their hearts may be heavy with loss or their bodies may be wracked with pain, but they need somebody to draw near and share their situation. They need to know that somebody cares enough to be there. A fellow saint who is suffering has a claim on your sympathy. An unbeliever who is in dire straits can learn about the love of the Saviour from you if you will but display it.
Who can you bring comfort to today? Choose your words with care. And choose with care whether to use words. -Jim MacIntosh