Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the best Counselor. How wonderful that we always have a source to go to in our time of need!
Lesson #10. Sometimes we struggle to counsel ourselves in the midst of trials. Eliphaz acknowledged that Job had historically been a person who gave good counsel to others. "Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees" (4:3-4).
Job lived early in the history of mankind, probably somewhere in the vicinity of Abraham's time frame. It is interesting that in spite of having no written revelation from God, Job was a remarkably godly man who lived out many things that God later instructed in both the Old and New Testaments. I did not realize before that Job's habitual helping of others was recorded as an admonition in the book of Hebrews. "Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed" (Hebrews 12:12-13). In this area, we are to follow Job's example.
How did Job help others who were struggling and faltering? It was by admonishing with words. Even though Job did not have the Bible, he had godly words to offer to those who were weak. What an advantage we have today to possess the completed Bible, which is filled with words to encourage and strengthen the hurting! The Bible is our source of help.
When this harsh set of trials came to Job, however, he had trouble counseling himself. Eliphaz continued, "But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled" (4:5).
Sometimes, realizing the shortcomings of Job's friends, we are tempted to throw out everything they said to Job. This would be a mistake. It is true that the friends lacked understanding of all that was happening, and it is true that they failed to adequately comfort Job. However, they did say a lot of true things. These men had knowledge about God, which is to be expected of Job's closest friends. In the midst of the hurtful and condemning words they offered, these men did include some good and true words. Anyone who reads the book of Job with any attention will realize that these words of Eliphaz are true. Job did struggle to come up with answers. Like his friends, he had moments of brilliance, but overall, he was overwhelmed and floundering.
It sure would be nice in the midst of trials to find just the right words to say to ourselves. Ideally, we should be able to counsel ourselves, just as we have counseled others. But when we are overwhelmed by the immensity of a great trial, when we are crippled by strong emotion, we sometimes struggle to come up with the right words. We might even confront ourselves with this question: "If you were counseling someone else in this same situation, what would you say?" It's a good question, and sometimes it helps us to corral our thoughts and to focus on the right truth. Sometimes, though, our answer to that question is "I don't know." Any answer seems to escape us at the moment.
Actually, most of the time we really do know the truth from God's Word that would help us. It is usually just a matter of time before we settle our swirling thoughts and raging emotions. Either on our own or through the help of someone else, we come to truth, and we say, "I knew that all along." It was just a matter of remembering it in the difficulty of the moment. This can happen even to those who have actively and routinely helped others in the past.
In this dilemma of struggling to counsel ourselves, I have considered three solutions. First, we can use truth that we have prepared ahead of time. I typically struggle with the same things over and over again. Often as I have fought for victory, I have recorded truth and have written down appropriate Bible verses. Yet when I find myself in the same struggle, I forget to pull out the truth I have ready at my disposal! It might be a challenge to come up with new truth in the intensity of the trial, but when the work has already been done in the past, and all I have to do is read what I've already written, it shouldn't seem so impossible to counsel myself correctly. Whether for ourselves or for others, we often have verse cards or Bible studies already prepared, or maybe an appropriate book sitting on our shelf that has previously guided us in God's truth.
Second, we can have a "short list" of trusted friends. "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). There is danger in struggling alone, but there is safety and support in a trusted companion. For many, the list will be topped by a spouse. It may include a pastor or pastor's wife, a close friend, or a respected counselor. Our list might not be very long, but each of us should have a few people that we know we can go to when we are in trouble - people who will listen, who will pray, and who will give God's words.
Third, we can go to the best Counselor. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). God wants us to seek Him when we are at a loss. He can easily direct our thoughts to the right Scriptures. I have had times when other counselors were unavailable, but God gave me exactly what I needed from His Word. That is a precious experience, and it's wonderful to know that even if our own experience fails us and even if no one else is available, God Himself can give us the very help we need.
Yes, when we are overwhelmed in the intensity of the moment, it can be hard to come up with the right answers immediately, but there are always right Biblical answers, and God is fully capable of directing us to them. He can meet the need of our souls. May God bless and direct you this week.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
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