The Ministry of Presence in Times of Grief

“"He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”Job 6:14 In the Bible we are told that during Job’s time of grieving, his three friends came to mourn with him and to comfort him. For the first 7 days they sat and wept with him because he was in deep sorrow (Job 2:11-13). “No one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great” (v.13). Their presence alone was a comfort to him.When Job was finally able to respond, he told his friends what he needed from them. He asked for reasons to continue hoping (6:11), for kindness (v.14), and for words that did not presume guilt (vv.29-30).Remembering the story of Job and his friends may help us when we don’t know what to say to a friend when they’re hurting. Remember we can spread God’s grace by being there for friends when they need us, not speaking, not lecturing, just comforting and loving. God>MePeace,