What Do You Say to Someone Suffering?

I worked at a funeral home while going to undergraduate school.  My first assignment was to go pick up a father and son who had drowned at the beach. The wife wanted to ride with me.  I learned a lesson that day.  I struggled all the way to the beach as to what to say to her.  The lesson I learned that day was when people are suffering, they need someone to sit with them. I made sure she stayed hydrated and knew she was not alone.  In situations like this, there are many things we can do, but letting them know they are not alone is a very important one.

The Bible tells of Job’s crippling grief after the loss of his home, his herds, his health, and the deaths of his ten children.  When Job’s friends learned of his pain, they “set out from their homes… to go comfort him.” (Job 2:11)  Job sat on the ground in mourning.  When the friends arrived, they sat down with him – for seven days – saying nothing because they saw the depth of his suffering.

Commentaries say the Book of Job dates back to about 2000 BC. This Book resonates with people who are experiencing grief.  We may not understand what they are going through and we don’t need to.  We simply need to love them by being with them.

Job’s friends later offered insensitive advice but for the first seven days, they gave him the gift of presence.  In today’s world, we need to be able to love those who are suffering.  During this time of grief, take time to read the Book of Job and ask for the loving arms of Jesus to surround you.

Prayer – God, thank you for always being with me. Help me to offer the gift of presence to those You put in my path.  Amen.

Job 2:13 – They sat on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights.

Author: Tommy Herndon