Wrong Assumptions

Job 4:1-11

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

2 "If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
But who can keep from speaking?

3 Think how you have instructed many,
how you have strengthened feeble hands.

4 Your words have supported those who stumbled;
you have strengthened faltering knees.

5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;
it strikes you, and you are dismayed.

6 Should not your piety be your confidence
and your blameless ways your hope?

7 "Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?
Where were the upright ever destroyed?

8 As I have observed, those who plow evil
and those who sow trouble reap it.

9 At the breath of God they are destroyed;
at the blast of his anger they perish.

10 The lions may roar and growl,
yet the teeth of the great lions are broken.

11 The lion perishes for lack of prey,
and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

Bee's Thoughts:

Many people seem to think that 'heroes' or leaders will not, or should not, have any down moment. They are being lookup to by others for comforts, advices, encouragements, guidances, etc. But when they are down and need these things themselves, they seem to be left alone. They are not allowed to feel weak. Any sign of weakness would be frowned upon as in the case of Job above, where his friends weren't sympathetic toward's his distress. As such, heroes tend to feel lonely. *sigh*

Very often I felt the same way too.Sometimes I wonder if I am born to bear other's burdens and mine by myself. Once an offline friend told me after I shared about my discouragement: "You always look cheerful and confident, always providing solutions for others who need help, and I really respect you. I never expect you to feel discouraged." Yes, it's hard for people to know my actual feelings... I have to be strong all the time, I have to hold back my tears from others. What Job's friend, Eliphaz, said to him in verses 3 to 5 sounded familiar:

"Think how you have instructed many,
how you have strengthened feeble hands.

Your words have supported those who stumbled;
you have strengthened faltering knees.

But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;
it strikes you, and you are dismayed."

Many people, like Job's friend, wrongly assumed that an usually strong person who helps others should neither feel weak nor be in need of a helping hand. They become very critical when it happens and start assuming wrongly.

The story of Job has been a great couragement for me whenever I feel wronged, especially by people close to me. For I know that God sees the true condition in my heart. Just like in the case of Job, despite being accused wrongly by his 3 close friends, Job didn't curse God. His response to God was highly commended by God, whereas God was angry with his friends' wrong assumption of his suffering:

"After the LORD had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has." (Job 42:1-7)

Dear Lord,
Thank You for the lessons I can learn from the story of Job. Teach me not to be too quick to wrongly assume things when my leaders are in distress. Instead, let me be understanding, be encouraging, and be a support to them. Thank You for being my support and strength whenever I feel discouraged. Praise You, Lord! Amen.