Job 16:4-5 NLT

“I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you. But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.”

Saying the right thing at the right time is an art, but it is what we need to do at all times as Christians. Even though in our minds we feel like someone needs a rebuke, we need to wait for the appropriate time.

Job’s friends passed judgment on Job, thinking that they were right in their estimation. Unfortunately they were completely wrong and they were judged by God. When given a circumstance with someone that we feel like is on the wrong path, we need to wait, listen, understand, and then use wisdom.

We don’t want to be like Job’s friends and be rebuked by God. It would be better being the voice of hope and reason and let God do the rebuking.

Prayer:
Father, we are living in hard times. We see people who are suffering and we feel like we can guide them out of their suffering. The hard thing sometimes is to show wisdom and speak healing instead of condemnation. Help me with that Father!