There Is A Time For Words & There Is A Time For Solace

by Drake De Long-Farmer

As a blogger and writer, I am a part of a few writing guilds and blogger groups. This is a place to share ideas, encourage each other and challenge thoughts. In one of these groups, someone had challenged us to be writing on the topic of the shootings and violence happening in the states. His concern was with everything we had a voice on and were willing to write on, we all seemed to be silent on this topic. Though, it did make me think, should we be so quick to speak or should we simply be weeping? It made me think of the story of Job and his three friends when they come to visit Job:

When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. ...When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words. // Job 2:11-13

After they cry out for their friend and his situation, they sit with him for seven days. Seven days! I remember one of my counselling professors say that the story of Job is the perfect example of how we should react and support someone in grief, until they opened their mouths. More often than not, when someone is suffering or going through loss or hurt, the best thing we can do is stand in solace with them (or sit) and sometimes the worse thing we can do is react and jump to quick to words, advice and opinions. 

It makes me wonder, are we being too quick to want to speak up in the midst of the multiple tragedies in the past few weeks and even months? When an entire nation is hurting and confused, should we be swift with words, or should this be a time for solace? Standing, sitting and embracing our brothers and sisters and weep together, silently sitting and simply being? Let us heed the words of James as he encourages us to "be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (James 1:19-20). ​There will need to be words spoken at some point, and we will need to be asking the hard questions of 'why?' and 'what now?', but that can wait for another day. Today, maybe we simply sit. 

---

Drake is passionate about seeing people thrive and come alive--to BELONG, wrestle with what they BELIEVE and BECOME people FULL OF LOVE, FUELLED BY FAITH & ADDICTED TO HOPE. Drake is an engaging speaker, writer and an equipper of leaders. He is a life learner and loves being challenged to grow further. One of his favourite things to do is spend a good amount of time at a good café or coffee shop with a good book or engaging conversation. To be able to share in someone else's journey and experience their story is always a pleasure and an honour. He currently serves as the Editor-In-Chief of boldcupofcoffee.com & the Executive Pastor at Gateway Alliance Church.

---