Lessons from Job

Chapter 8 - Job’s friends are not very compassionate. They suggest that Job’s children died because they were sinners. They suggested that Job could end his suffering by seeking God more! We are often like Job’s friends. When our friends suffer, we try to explain it away, and justify it with sensible words. Often times, this is not very helpful. Or kind! Chapter 13:4 - you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! Often it is better not to say too much when someone is suffering. Better perhaps just to be with them in their pain.

Chapter 10:1 - I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. 

When we go through difficult times, God allows us to complain to him - ever bitterly. 

 Chapter 12:5 - Those who are at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.

We tend to judge people who are going through misfortune. We tend to lack compassion.