Miserable Comforters
Job 16:2
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
Job responded to his friends by telling them that they were miserable comforters. Why did he call them miserable comforters? He called the miserable comforters because they did nothing to assuage his grief that he was going through. Job was going through one of the toughest times of his life, and instead of coming and helping this man through his grief, these men came and began to accuse him of things that just were not true.
Everyone goes through tough times, and often in those tough times, people can be the worst comforters of all. There are times when the people who should be able to help us are the ones who do the worst damage in times of grief. I have found there are several miserable comforters in life that can be avoided, while others must be endured. Let me point out several miserable comforters.
First, vice is a miserable comforter. Many turn to vice to find comfort, only to find that it makes the situation worse. For instance, alcohol does not comfort anyone; it only drowns the grief in its poison and makes the situation worse. Likewise, drugs of any type are not the answer to comfort. Prescription or illegal drugs are not the answer to comfort. If you turn to vice for comfort, you will find that it will only make your grief much worse.
Second, gossips are miserable comforters. Many people have gossiped about why someone is going through a tough time, only to make that situation worse. A gossip who thinks they know something when they really don't often makes the life of the one going through grief much worse. Using a prayer request as an excuse to spread gossip about why somebody is going through a tough time will only make that person's life worse. The best way to tell someone they need to pray for someone is to ask them to pray for that person, without elaborating on their situation.
Third, meddlers are miserable comforters. Meddling in someone's life when they are going through a time of grief will not help them. Many have tried to insert themselves into someone's life in an attempt to give them comfort, only to make the situation worse. If they have not asked you to get involved in their life, the best thing you could do is pray for them silently. Don't meddle in the lives of others, for that only makes their situation worse.
Fourth, worldly comforters are miserable comforters. The world does not have the answers for life because they avoid the Word of God. You can run to the world for comfort, but you will never find the true comfort that can only come from God's Word.
Fifth, fleshly believers are miserable comforters. True comfort comes from the Holy Spirit, and a believer who is not yielded to the Holy Spirit cannot give the comfort that one needs. Fleshly believers often mean well, but because they are working in the flesh, they will not have the answer to comfort the one in their time of grief.
My friend, true comfort only comes from the Holy Spirit and God's Word. Certainly, God can use people to comfort, but if you will ask the Holy Spirit for His comfort and read God's Word, you will find the true comfort you need in your greatest time of grief.
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