Sometimes Silence is Golden

I have a book on my shelf entitled "Well-Intentioned Dragons."  Of the same ilk many of us are well-intentioned encouragers.  But a hole we all can fall into is the "pit of pat sayings."   They are theologically sound and often shared with the hope of comfort and encouragement.  But they are empty clouds with no showers of blessings.   Job felt that way about his comforters:“Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.” (Job 13:12, ESV).

a. "Well, there's always tomorrow!"
b. "God is in control."
c. "Just look to Jesus."
d. "The pain will pass in time."

And so on; and so on!   Yes, I've used them too and they are theologically sound but practically meaningless.  Perhaps some people would like to say to us once and awhile, "Your maxims are proverbs of ashes."

Sometimes silence is golden and your presence is profound!