The story of Job is often read as an example of patience and faith in the midst of great suffering. Satan accuses Job of serving God only for His blessings, and God allows Job’s faith to be tested. Job endures unimaginable loss, his wealth, his health, and even his children, yet he does not curse God. While Job is usually the focus, it is worth pausing to consider the grief and perspective of his wife, who suffered these losses alongside him. Her response, though often criticized, raises important questions about how we walk with others through seasons of sorrow.
Job’s Test of Faith
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him… But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. — Job 1:8-10
Satan charges that Job’s devotion rests only on God’s protection. With God’s permission, Satan strips Job of everything—his servants, possessions, children, and finally his health. Yet Job continues to trust God.
Job’s Wife Speaks
In the ashes of his suffering, Job’s wife urges him to let go:
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. — Job 2:9-10
Her words are often dismissed as foolish, even compared to mockers at the cross (Matthew 27:43). Yet we must remember Job’s losses were hers too. The children Job mourned were the ones she bore and nurtured. While Job tore his robe and worshipped, Scripture does not record anyone comforting his wife.
The Need to Mourn
The Bible never condemns mourning. In fact, it calls it a necessary part of life and even a source of blessing:
To every thing there is a season… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,4)
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:15)
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
When Job’s friends first arrive, they respond rightly:
They lifted up their eyes afar off… they lifted up their voice, and wept… So they sat down with him… seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. — Job 2:12-13
Comfort sometimes means presence, not explanations.
Empty Comforts
Many of us have heard well-meaning words during grief: “God works in mysterious ways,” “At least it wasn’t worse,” “Be thankful for what you still have.” While true in a sense, such words can feel hollow when someone is crushed by sorrow. Even Job, who once comforted others, found little comfort when those same phrases were turned back on him (Job 4–10).
Instead of relief, Job’s friends added weight to his suffering, until he longed for death itself (Job 10:1). Scripture shows that even the faithful—Moses (Numbers 11:14-15), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20:14-18), Jonah (Jonah 4:3,9), and Elijah (1 Kings 19:4)—struggled with despair and thoughts of death. Even Jesus confessed:
My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death. — Matthew 26:38
Christ’s Example of Comfort
At Lazarus’s tomb, Jesus models true compassion:
When Jesus therefore saw (Mary) weeping, and the Jews also weeping… he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled… Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! — John 11:33-36
Jesus did not rush His friends through their grief. Though He knew resurrection was moments away, He first shared in their sorrow. His tears spoke louder than any words.
The Takeaway
Scripture reminds us that comfort is not about quick answers, but about love, patience, and shared burdens:
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2
Judge not… but rather… that no man put a stumbling block… in his brother’s way. (Romans 14:13)
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:15)
Charity suffereth long, and is kind… beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4,7)
Job’s wife may not have spoken wisely, but her grief was real. In her pain, she needed compassion more than correction. And so do we all.
*All scripture are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise specified.