One of my biggest regrets is that I lack empathy. When I see someone who is so upset about something I would investigate what seems the problem. Then I would analyze the situation and give advice or opinion. Instead of listening to the person in the incident and to stay with the person involved.
The Bible tells of Job’s crippling grief after the loss of his home, his herds (his income), his health, and the sudden deaths of his ten children. When Job’s friends learned of his pain, they “set out from their homes . . . and comforted him.” Job sat on the ground in mourning. When they arrived, his friends sat down with him—for seven days—saying nothing because they saw the depth of his suffering.
In their humanity, Job’s friends later offered Job insensitive advice. But for the first seven days, they gave him the wordless and tender gift of presence. We may not understand someone’s grief, but we don’t need to understand in order to love them well by simply being with them. God, I thank You for being with me always – in good times and bad. Help me to offer that gift of presence to those You put in my path.
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