Job 30:10 “They detest me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.”
Job lost everything, even his reputation. He found he was mocked and hated by people who at one time looked up to him. In his time of great distress, people scattered as far away from him as they could get. It is hard enough when we are faced with trials that change our lives, but what adds salt to the wound is how we are treated by others. The run and cover seemed to be the exercise of the day when I walked into a room. The silent treatment was so hurtful and surprising to me. It seemed to come from those I least expected. I struggled to understand what was going on in these dear friends of mine. I began to think maybe they felt this loss of a child was contagious; that just by breathing the same air I consumed, they might be dealt the same fate. Could they possibly think that by acknowledging my loss they might remind me of this event that has forever changed my life? This event which has taken over every part of my being twenty four hours a day? I did not need reminding. Could it be that they were just at a loss for words? I finally decided it was probably all of the above. How could they know what to do since they had never experienced such a loss. You see at one time I too was just like them. One can never understand the depth of this loss until you have walked in it. I now realize these friends never meant to hurt me; they just did not know and how I pray they never will know!
Lord, since we know the depth of this loss, may we be the friend who walks beside those who are grieving.
