From that, the Vega family learned to appreciate the phrase, "as serious as a heart attack." As bad as it could have been, it's amazing how far medical technology and treatments have advanced in the last few years, let alone the last twenty. They now not only stop your heart and divert all blood from your chest to a machine, they cool your body down to morgue temperatures only to revive you after the surgery with a slow thaw. All that in the name of progress and a few extra saved brain cells.
Despite all the progress and advances made in medicine, things that were unthinkable even a few years in every field of science, nothing still spells terror like the diagnosis of cancer... and, at Grace Fellowship Church (and in my own life), we have had more than our fair share or cancer cases; some of them very recent and still ongoing. What do you say to someone who is actively suffering the diagnosis, treatment, and uncertainty of cancer? For that matter, what do you say or do for anyone who is suffering real anguish and pain?
In the first few chapter's of the Biblical book of Job, the writer describes an ongoing bet between God and Satan regarding the namesake of the book and the horrible series of events that befall him. "But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
Consequently, all of his belongings are stolen, his children die in horrible accidents, and his own body is stricken with "painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head." Nothing is left except his life, but even his quality of life is destroyed. His friends could hardly even recognize him when they see him for the first time after all of this had happened. If you've seen anyone who has undergone chemotherapy, has been slowly wasting away, or has an advanced liver disease, you may have a better understanding of how Job looked to his friends, shocking.
For all of the commentary indicting the three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) for their presumptuous commentary in later chapters, I think the final paragraph of chapter two (had it been all they did) is the most beautiful example of friends offering solidarity in regards to the suffering of a friend and loved one:
What do they do? Nothing that seems heroic, but it is amazing.
Let them speak if they choose. Let them ask if needed. If they do, then speak or act. Be patient, open, and available. That's the amazing part we all too often forget and, because of that, end up doing more harm than good.
In the first few chapter's of the Biblical book of Job, the writer describes an ongoing bet between God and Satan regarding the namesake of the book and the horrible series of events that befall him. "But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
Consequently, all of his belongings are stolen, his children die in horrible accidents, and his own body is stricken with "painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head." Nothing is left except his life, but even his quality of life is destroyed. His friends could hardly even recognize him when they see him for the first time after all of this had happened. If you've seen anyone who has undergone chemotherapy, has been slowly wasting away, or has an advanced liver disease, you may have a better understanding of how Job looked to his friends, shocking.
For all of the commentary indicting the three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) for their presumptuous commentary in later chapters, I think the final paragraph of chapter two (had it been all they did) is the most beautiful example of friends offering solidarity in regards to the suffering of a friend and loved one:
"When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him;they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was."
What do they do? Nothing that seems heroic, but it is amazing.
- When they hear about Job's suffering, they gather together and go to check on him.
- When they see his suffering, they show genuine emotion and concern.
- Without explanation or rationalization, they share in what they can of his suffering. They sit with him.
Let them speak if they choose. Let them ask if needed. If they do, then speak or act. Be patient, open, and available. That's the amazing part we all too often forget and, because of that, end up doing more harm than good.
I may never know or fully understand the true magnitude of anyone's suffering, but I can share in it and sit on the ground with them.
No comments:
Post a Comment