If a misguided father, in the interests of preventing pride from taking root in his children, offered criticism after criticism, the results would not be what he anticipated. Instead of rearing humble children, he would bring up neurotic and jumpy children. “What is it now?” would be their constant internal question. But another father who praised, honored, accepted, delighted in, and rejoiced over his children would be bringing up secure children, children who are able to forget themselves in the interests of others.
via BLOG and MABLOG: Quiet Your Fears.
I think I know people who get this way because of the way they interpret how providence has dealt with them. For most people, Job doesn’t need three friends. They are already in his head.
So how do you tell these people to deal? How do you tell them to heal?
One solution is worship accompanied by the kind of excellent exhortation that Doug gives. But I think I need to think about more ways and means.
Often, I imagine, praying with them, the correct way, would be a real help. “Can we pray? ‘Father of the Risen Lord, you have accepted us as your children, what earthly father does not know how to receive good gifts from his children? What earthly father looks at the scribble his two year old drew for him, and sternly reprimands him for his poor artistic techniques? Yes you cause N to stumble, and repeatedly frown on him. Is not Ephraim your beloved son? Is he not a pleasant child? Are not your bowels troubled for him? Therefore turn, have mercy on him. Remember him still. As you heard your Son when he cried out to you, so to hear N. By the power of your Spirit raise him from his calamity.”
Be the advocate between God and man Job hoped for–someone to lay a hand on them both.