CHRISTIAN FRIENDS
Today's reading: Job 25-26

I truly believe Bildad, and Job's other friends, had the best of intentions when after several days of mournful silence they opened their mouths and attempted to comfort Job.

I truly believe they did.

It's not based on some deep dark secret God has revealed to me in regards to the book of Job, it has everything to do with my own personal experience!

I've tried to comfort and console--only to find myself attempting to remove my great big foot from   my great big mouth.

I've tried to offer godly advice--only to be pushed away for being too insensitive, too ignorant of the circumstances or too biased.

I've tried to apply the 'Balm of Gilead' to hurting Christian friends--only to find myself pushed away by their choice.

I've tried to help--and done more hurting in the process.

I've tried to bind up the wounds of friends--only to find myself cowering in the corner licking the wounds they inflicted on me from their responses and reactions.

And in each instance, I truly believed I was trying to reach out in godliness and was led by God to do it.

So, I know how Job's friends might have felt. Been there. Done all of that.

And I have to trust in the grace of my great, big God to cover my errors, my offenses, my shortcomings, my mis-spoken words, my inadequacies, my restricted vision and my lapses in judgement.