Friends Who Identify

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15

Recommended Reading
Eccelesiastes 3:4a, 7b

The most famous group of friends in the world (or at least the oldest and
most famous) is not those six who appeared in a TV sitcom for ten years. It is
the group of three who came to visit Job after he suffered several
disasters in a row. They've been accused of judging Job unmercifully - for
saying that
the disasters he experienced were due to some sin in his life.

But wait - let's give these fellows a little credit. Before they launched
into lecturing Job, the Bible says they identified with him in his misery. Job
was weeping, so they wept. Job was sitting on an ash heap, so they tore
their clothes and covered themselves with dust. Job was stunned into silence by
all that had happened, so they sat with job for seven days without saying a
word, "for they saw that his grief was very great" (Job 2:13). For that, they
deserve credit. Sometimes the best thing we can do for people is to
identify with their grief. Not talk, not advise, not question, not even
pray - just
be where they are. The next time someone needs you, start by giving them
the gift of yourself. When you identify with them, they will be grateful
for you.

Sympathy says, "Poor thing!" Empathy says, "I am in this with you."

Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire?
C. S. Lewis


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