How Not to Respond to a Suffering Friend

A Horrific Disaster

Hurricane Katrina was the most costly natural disaster and one of the five deadliest hurricanes in the history of the United States. It destroyed homes, businesses, killed people and caused all out havoc for the entire city. 

For the most part the people of the United States of America responded lovingly to our friends in New Orleans who experienced this horrific disaster. Churches, community groups, and individuals from all over the United States made trips and gave money to New Orleans to help with clean up, medical assistance, food, and shelter. 

Voices

A few people, however, did not respond as kindly to the city of New Orleans in the wake of the disaster. A few conservative Christian media personalities viewed the hurricane as God's judgement against the city for sin.  Is there any truth to this? If it were true, is there any way for us to know that it is true?

I don't believe we are able to pinpoint the specific theological cause of one natural disaster, unless there is is an obvious practical link to a specific sin. We do not know why each hurricane strikes. We do not know why each tsunami and tornado hits.

On the other hand, when we look at the grand scope of eternity all pain and suffering is the result of the original sin. The biblical view of death and suffering link all decay back to Adam and Eve's first sin against God. The world and people inherit sin's consequences. 

We also see some suffering in the scripture coming as a result of righteousness. Job is one example.

Job's 'Friend'

Job was in a situation where disaster had fallen on him due to no specific sin of his own. The scripture declares him to be a righteous man who worshipped and followed the Lord. His disaster is actually directly related to his 'blameless' life.

Unfortunately, Job's friend Zophar goes so far as to say that God not only punished Job, but did not even punish him enough to make up for Job's apparent sin. What a friend, right? Zophar watched his friend suffer innocently and to add insult to injury Zophar tells Job that it should have been worse! That is no way to respond to a suffering neighbor.

It goes without saying that New Orleans, or any city for that matter, could rightly be called 'blameless'. It does prompt you to think, though, about catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina. Why do they happen?

Your Perspective

The truth is that some suffering is due to sin. Some sins have terrible and lasting repercussions. And even when a disaster is the result of sin, does it help for you to rub someone's face in their suffering? Obviously not.

So how do you respond when you see someone suffering and questioning God? Do you, like Zophar, tell them that it should have been worse? Or do you respond with compassion. The godly response to suffering is compassionate help. 

This is what Jesus did when he came into the world to save us from our sins. Our own disaster was coming as a result of our sin and Jesus loved us so much that he suffered on our behalf. As a result of Jesus' innocent suffering we can experience new life and restoration through faith in him.

May you respond this way to all who are truly hurting and in need of help.

Job 11:6 Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. 

Job 11:13-15 13  “If you prepare your heart, 

you will stretch out your hands toward him. 

 14  If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, 

and let not injustice dwell in your tents. 

 15  Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; 

you will be secure and will not fear. 

Job 12:12-15 12  Wisdom is with the aged, 

and understanding in length of days. 

 13  “With God are wisdom and might; 

he has counsel and understanding. 

 14  If he tears down, none can rebuild; 

if he shuts a man in, none can open. 

 15  If he withholds the waters, they dry up; 

if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. 

Job 13:7-8 7  Will you speak falsely for God 

and speak deceitfully for him? 

 8  Will you show partiality toward him? 

Will you plead the case for God? 

Job 13:15-16 15  Though he slay me, I will hope in him; 

yet I will argue my ways to his face. 

 16  This will be my salvation, 

that the godless shall not come before him. 

Job 14:1 Man who is born of a woman 

is few of days and full of trouble.