Platitudes

Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot. Job 13:12 (NLT)

You’ve heard them; phrases such as “It was mean to be,” “Such is life,” “Everything happens for a reason,” or “God never gives us more than we can handle.” By the way, that’s not in the Bible. In fact, God says the opposite; sometimes, He gives us more than we can handle to stretch our faith and teach us to lean on Him.

Platitudes from concerned friends, family members, or even complete strangers can be as hurtful as a slap in the face. They might as well have told you to, “Buck up and deal with it.” Though usually well intended, such flippant words typically do more harm than good.

Job had his fair share of insensitive friends. Their shallow and disparaging words trivialized his agony. After putting up with them for far longer than most of us would, Job cries out, “If only you would be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do.” (Job 13:5). He tells them their empty words are as worthless and useless as ashes. Who offers their friends cinders?

The problem with platitudes is that, not only do they minimize a person’s pain, but they reduce the complexity of our situation into a one-size-fits-all explanation. “Everything happens for a reason” does not offer hope to a grieving mother. “God never gives us more than we can handle” doesn’t offer encouragement to the man who’s lost his job and the roof over his head. Each person’s journey is different and God’s purpose for each trial is specific to that individual and that particular situation.

Thankfully, God does not dispense platitudes. He offers promises. Promises that speak to our struggle, promises that provide strength for the moment. Promises that breathe new life into our weary heart. Promises that offer comfort in our hardest moments. Promises that depend, not on our merit or performance, but wholly on the grace of God.

Prayer: Lord, interrupt me when my words are meaningless and vacuous. May I offer comfort to those who grieve, not with platitudes, but simply by being present in their pain. Thank you for your promises and your presence even on those darkest days. In your name we pray, Amen.

Thought: When God promises, He’s not saying, I’ll try. He means, I can and I will. James MacDonald