Day 234: Don’t Say It!

22 Aug, 2020

The Daily Word: Saturday, August 22nd, 2020
Job 4:1-7:21
1 Corinthians 14:18-40
Psalm 37:30-40
Proverbs 21:27
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said: “If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?” – Job 4:1-2

Job was in pain. And Eliphaz – Job’s friend – wanted to fix it! So he started talking. He had no idea what he was talking about! But he assumed the solution to his friend’s problem would be to offer suggestions instead of keeping quiet.

From our vantage point, we know that Eliphaz was dead wrong.[1] He should have kept his mouth shut! But he just could not, “…withhold himself from speaking” (v. 2). He actually made his friend’s pain worse, not better, because he felt like he had to say something.

Do you know someone in pain? Don’t say it! Keep it to yourself. When someone needs comfort, resist the urge to say something. Be with them, and silently bear their burden with them. Listen instead of speaking. Your words may not be worth much; but your presence is worth everything.

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath…” – Jas. 1:19

Prayer:

Father, make me a comforter. I pray You would give me the emotional resources required to help other people as they walk through their pain! Help me to see what You see, so I can say what You want me to say, in Jesus’ name.

Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.
See commentary from this day in 2018.
See commentary from this day in 2019.

© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.

[1] “And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, ‘My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.’” – Job 42:7