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Through writing, teaching, preaching, and the Internet, this ministry fosters transformation of lives wounded by tragedy. Dr. Grose uses his over 40 years of pastoral and counseling experience to present a biblical model of transformation in the story of Job.
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Category Archives: The Counselor
Helping the Sufferer: Giving Advice II
Like most “rules,” we find exceptions. When I last discussed offering our advice to someone distressed (2/15/13), I made the point that it’s usually premature. Giving premature advice comes from our sense of helplessness–indeed, our very real helplessness. There are … Continue reading
Posted in Friend of Job, Hope for the Hurting, The Counselor
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Helping the Sufferer: Giving a Beatitude
When our friend opens up to us about their suffering, although we don’t intend to, we risk making their suffering worse. We try our hardest to listen, but their experience may not fit with our preconceived ideas about how life … Continue reading
Posted in Friend of Job, The Counselor, The Sufferer
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Helping the Sufferer: Seeing with “Expert” Eyes
When we focus on our message as comforters, it’s easy to wander into uncharted territory with words that wound. We may think we’ve got the perfect answer for someone in trouble; we may think we’ve analyzed their situation to a … Continue reading
Posted in Friend of Job, The Counselor
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Helping the Sufferer: How You Should Feel
As a beginning chaplain in a psychiatric hospital I recall an encounter with a crying, depressed woman, admitted to the hospital because she had tried to commit suicide. I had just began my twelve-weeks of training, and that was the first … Continue reading
Posted in Friend of Job, Mental Illness, The Counselor
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Helping the Sufferer: Giving Reassurance
In the same way that our advice may be premature, so also may our reassurance. In our efforts to assuage the suffering of our loved one or friend, we reach out by offering hope of a better future. Because we … Continue reading
Posted in Friend of Job, The Counselor, The Sufferer
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Helping the Sufferer: Giving Advice
When someone close to us feels distressed, we learn to live with our sense of helplessness while we wait for some signal from them that they seek our comfort. Not that we’re totally passive, but in the midst of our … Continue reading
Posted in Friend of Job, Hope for the Hurting, The Counselor
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Helping the Sufferer: Motivation
If someone we love or care about has experienced a significant loss, we want to help. We may even feel the need to help. As a friend we can provide enormous support, encouragement, and hope. One way we can err … Continue reading
Posted in Hope for the Hurting, Recovery, The Counselor
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Helping the Sufferer
When someone we care about goes through a particularly difficult loss, we usually want to help. Sometimes they ask to talk with us, but often they don’t. Perhaps they have some other trusted friend or relative they’ve already selected to … Continue reading
Posted in Friend of Job, Hope for the Hurting, The Counselor
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Offering Hope Too Soon
When friends try to comfort us, they often try too hard. After a mother’s miscarriage, for example, someone may say to her, “Don’t worry, you’ll have another baby.” In the effort to assuage a mother’s grief, the well-meaning friend offers … Continue reading
Posted in The Counselor
Tagged comfort, hope, premature advice
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What Gives Us Hope? (Continued)
The thought Job would confront God with the injustice of his suffering begins to outweigh his longing for the peace of death. Although he never completely gives up that thought, but returns to it at the end of each speech, … Continue reading
Posted in The Counselor
Tagged Book of Job, hope, support
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