Bible Study

Just for your thoughts.

The book of Job 
Bible study 19
Without understanding Job's losses, sufferings, pain, and deep anguish, Job's friends concluded that all these calamities had come upon him because of his sins. Therefore, Job called them "Miserable Comforters" (Job 16:2).
Even today, many such "miserable comforters" can be found around us. In particular, I have seen some people who minister under the title of Christian Counseling Ministry. Without having personally experienced deep suffering, pain, loss, grief, or separation in life, they often offer counsel based solely on what they have learned from books. Spiritually mature believers should approach such counselors with discernment and caution.
The only One who can give perfect comfort in all our sufferings is the God of all comfort. People may pray for us, weep with us, and encourage us. Yet, only God fully understands the deepest pain of our hearts and is able to bring true comfort.
Generally speaking, those who have walked through suffering are better able to understand the pain of those who are walking the same path. Their words are often marked by compassion, mercy, and patience. At the same time, we should not forget that God can also use those who have not had the same experiences, provided they are guided by His wisdom and by the Holy Spirit.
The Book of Job is one of God's greatest treasures for helping us understand the difference between true comforters and miserable comforters. Therefore, those involved in Christian counselling ministry should first study the Book of Job carefully, understand its spiritual truths, and then minister comfort to those who are suffering in the light of its teachings.
There is a Tamil proverb that says, "A bottle gourd painted in a book will not help in cooking." Likewise, book knowledge alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by compassion, experience, prayer, and the wisdom of God. Otherwise, counsel given without understanding the pain of those who suffer often becomes a burden rather than a blessing.
During His earthly life, our Lord Jesus Christ experienced suffering and trials just as we do. Because He perfectly obeyed the Father, He is not indifferent to the afflictions of His people. Even today, He understands our weaknesses and remains the only Mediator between God and mankind.
Therefore, we should give up the habit of running from person to person in search of comfort. No matter how great a leader or how experienced a minister may be, no human being can fully comprehend another person's suffering. They can certainly pray earnestly for us, and that is a precious blessing from God. Nevertheless, human comfort is limited, whereas God's comfort is perfect and complete.
Dear believers, do not wander everywhere seeking comfort. Pour out your burdens before the presence of God. The words that God speaks through His Word, and the comfort His gifts are incomparable.
At the same time, we who are believers must be extremely careful, sincere, and humble whenever we seek to comfort others. We should never assume that we are spiritually superior while looking down on those who are passing through suffering. Every word we speak should be offered with prayer, reverence for God, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In the ministry of counseling, we should not create unnecessary divisions between "ministers" and "ordinary believers." God has bestowed different gifts upon different members of His Church. Spiritually mature believers, endowed with God's wisdom, can also become great sources of comfort to others. Therefore, churches should identify such mature believers and encourage them to participate in the ministry of counseling.
Likewise, the attitude that "everyone must come only to me for counsel" must change. God has given different
gifts to different members of the Body of Christ, and we are all called to bear one another's burdens.
May God Himself grant each one of us His grace, wisdom, and a compassionate heart so that we may not become miserable comforters who wound the hurting but servants who faithfully bring the comfort of Christ to those who are suffering.