To all "friends" who forget their roles - Job 1-2

If you have ever read the book of Job you will be completely understanding of this devotional. If you are not famaliar with Job's story you might be a little lost. Job, as we read in this section, was attacked by Satan. His three friends come to visit him. We will learn over the next weeks, as we read the story, that his three friends actually cease to be his friends and become his psychologist and/or annalysis for the remainder of the book. However, their intent is fair. In 2:11 we read, "they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him." It goes on in verse twelve to say that when they saw him they did not recognize him. They actually sat with him for a week and said nothing: Perhaps the best thing a friend can actually do in these cases. After this they will "open their mouths" to speak and that is when they forget their roles. Why is it that friends think they should also be psychologist for us? As we will read throughout the next chapters, each of the three friends feels obligated to tell Job "why" he is in this situation. Rather than meet the needs of his torment, they want to determine why it has happened to him. It is important, when we see others going through struggles and torments, that we keep our roles intact. We ought to be friends when that is our role; that calls for no questions as to "why" but rather meeting specific needs. If our role is to minister to the why than that is the role we take. But, these three came and forgot the purpose they stated and made an "appointment" to do: To sympathize and comfort Job. When others struggle make sure you know your role and fulfill it.