When we experience adversity and trials, we may blame ourselves and feel we have done something wrong to deserve punishment. While honest self-examination is healthy, we should not become preoccupied with our faults and failures.

It's even worse if someone else tries to load guilt on us when we are going through a tough time. That was the mistake of Job's friend Eliphaz, a man with a high view of God and a great respect for His moral standards. He correctly observed that when we do what's right we are doing only what God requires. Therefore, we shouldn't expect special praise or reward (Job 22:3). But Eliphaz mistakenly insisted that Job's trouble was the result of his own wickedness (v.5). He was also wrong in promising Job that God would bless him and give him immediate relief if he would repent.

Most of our troubles are the result of living in an imperfect world. God uses these adversities, however, to prepare us to help others. Paul said that God comforted him in his trials so that he could comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

When trouble invades our lives or the lives of others, let's not immediately conclude that the culprit is sin. Instead, let's seek God's comfort so we can comfort others.  — Herbert Vander Lugt