Sa magulong kalagayan, kailangan ko’y kaibigan, tumalikod man ako o hindi sa Diyos na Makapangyarihan.

Job 6:14

Kapag dumaraan ka sa matinding pagsubok, would you want to hear someone blaming you? Kahit pa siguro alam mong may parte ka sa pagdurusa mo, it would still be painful to receive rebuke. No one would want to receive a sermon when you’re looking to be comforted.

’Yan din ang naramdaman ni Job. He lost everything — his children, his properties, and his health. Pero sa halip na mang-comfort, his friends judged him. Imbes na i-uplift, his friends accused him that he was sinning. Sa sakit ng mga ibinato nila, para na rin nilang sinabing, “Buti nga sa ’yo. Kaya ka nagkaganyan kasi makasalanan ka.”

Let’s imagine na nagkasala nga si Job, kunwari lang. Hindi pa rin magiging helpful ang harsh correction. Kaya naman nasabi ni Job ang, “​​Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14, NIV).

Hindi kailangan ng taong sugatan and at the lowest part of his life ng mas marami pang sermon. What he needs is kindness. Jesus modeled this kindness in His many encounters with broken and sinful people. He responded with empathy, mercy, and compassion.

May we also give the gift of kindness and love in action to others. Offer grace. Hindi natin alam, experiencing that kindness might be the turning point that person needs.