Imagine a man who has lost everything—his family, his possessions, and his health. In desperation, he seeks comfort from his friends. But instead of hugs and words of encouragement, he receives judgment and accusation. Like a sword stabbed in the back, their words add to the wound rather than heal. The man struggles not only with his own suffering but also with the pain of being betrayed by those who should have comforted him.
Job responds bitterly to his friends: “I have heard such things often; you are all troublesome comforters!” (Job 16:2).
The words above in the New International Version are even more penetrating. Job calls out to his friends and calls them ‘damned comforters.’ Why? Job’s friends, who had come to comfort him, actually added to his suffering with their words. Rather than bringing compassion, they brought judgment. To them, Job’s suffering must be punishment for some hidden sin. Rather than strengthening and empowering, they accuse and destroy. Job saw how futile their words were—empty, heartless, only adding to the mess.
How often we ourselves are like Job’s friends! When faced with the suffering of others, it is easy to offer clichéd advice, blame, or even judge rather than encourage them. Instead, Job said that if he were in their shoes, he would choose words that comfort and encourage (Job 16:5). This is a challenge for us: are we to be “foolish comforters” or true friends who bring encouragement?
In his suffering, Job also felt that God himself had allowed him to be destroyed. He said, “Now you, O God, have worn me out and destroyed my whole house” (Job 16:7). He felt abandoned, as if God had become his enemy. His friends only made matters worse by allowing him to be the object of ridicule and mockery. Not only did they fail to comfort him, but they also joined in his suffering by mocking him (Job 16:10).
There are times in our lives when we feel like Ayu, alone, misunderstood, and even feel that God is no longer on our side. We may face unfair accusations, misunderstandings, or even betrayals from those who should support us. However, Job teaches us one important thing: even though he struggled with questions about God, he did not abandon his faith in God. Therefore, if we have ever felt alone in suffering, we should be more sensitive to the suffering that others are facing. Be a true comforter who brings empathy, not judgment. Our words can be a healer or a sword that stabs deeper. Understand that suffering is not always punishment. Job teaches us that not all suffering is the result of sin. On the other hand, we are also taught to be like Job, crying out to God in the midst of not understanding the suffering that occurs, while holding on to Him even though we do not always understand the plan of the All-Knowing.
