I am reflecting on the story of Job this week as I prepare for Sunday and as our church family ministers to several members who are dealing with unexpected challenges. I am particularly interested in Job’s friends, and I am amazed that they did some things right and some things wrong as they responded to the multiple crises in Job’s life.
The last two weeks have been extremely unusual as members of our church family have encountered one major concern after another. Obviously, we should strive to avoid making the same mistakes that Job’s friends made:
- Keeping your distance.
- Trying too hard.
- Saying too much.
- Staying too long.
- Hearing too little.
I am grateful that, like Job’s friends, our FBCP family does a lot of things right. Here are some of the things I see Job’s friends and our members doing that are constructive and helpful in responding to crisis:
- Ministry of presence…being there, being available.
- Ministry of prayer…interceding.
- Ministry of encouragement…cards, notes, and hugs.
- Ministry of listening…empathetic, non-judgmental listening.
- Ministry of helping…assuming a variety of supportive tasks.
Continue to pray for the many families who have major health concerns and for those who have lost loved ones. In addition to praying, one of the most important things we can do is to faithfully gather for worship, Bible study, and fellowship. Our faithful gathering on Sunday enables us to strengthen our connections and deepen our faith.
This Sunday I will be sharing an encouraging message entitled “What I Learned from Job.” Invite a friend, and let’s grow stronger together.
