Miserable Comforters

I hate hospitals. I never know how to be a help or any kind of comfort for the person who is sick. I went in the other day to see someone from the church that was sick. I really didn't know what questions to ask or what to do. So, it was mostly "weather talk" and then I said a quick prayer. Sickness and disease confuses me and I really struggle with how to be Jesus to the sick. In this morning's readings Job specifically says that his friends are miserable comforters. Listen to these words from Job, "Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend." I think this is a picture of Christ. Jesus is a "witness," "advocate," "intercessor," "friend." Wow!

Lord you are the true Comforter. Lord, give me true compassion for those that need comfort and may You use me to be a comforter.