Little children will almost daily say, �let me see� or 'show me.� They are too short to see or too young to understand the first time, so they constantly long to be included, informed, and supported. Friendships need to have certain things 'seen.� Kindness is necessary at all times, but especially needed when friends are struggling. Do you 'show� kindness to hurting friends?
Job suffered the almost unbelievable loss of children, possessions, health, and emotional support. When his friends gathered around, their loving support was short lived. They tormented him with false accusations. In this beaten down state, Job gives them a lesson on friendship in the sixth chapter.
To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend,
Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty ( Job 6:14 ).
In Job's affliction he knew it was his friends who ought to be shouldering support. How is this done? Job stated it simply by saying 'show kindness.� Show is an active term. �Kindness� rarely means reproof, but almost always means beauty, favor, or merciful deeds. Notice carefully we are not only doing the deed for the person, but we are doing it in such a way as to demonstrate or 'show� them our support. At first there may seem to be a fine line between a genuine act of 'showing kindness� and an arrogant act of 'showing off� while doing a good deed. After all, Jesus said to not even let the right hand know what the left hand was doing when giving alms to others ( Matthew 6:3). The differences are in the motives, actions, and emphasis.
�Our motive must be rooted in love. To do good for a hurting friend must be all about �agape�. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 we are taught that without love our deeds are nothing. Our loving heart simply wants to serve them.
�Our actions should be decided only after we consider what the friend needs during this time. Too often individuals consider what they want to do or give instead of what the afflicted one needs. Taking a meal when actually what they need is for someone to cry with them isn't true kindness.
'the emphasis is upon supporting the weak during their trial ( I Corinthians 12:25-26; Galatians 6:2). We should do good in a way that communicates they are not alone�it 'shows them kindness.�
�Job makes one more plea in this verse; �even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.� Job was being accused of doing wrong. Even if he had done wrong he deserved to be shown kindness. It isn't our place to punish our friends for their mistakes, but it is our place to show kindness. This is what will draw them back to the Lord!