Job 2:11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place…for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
After Job suffered the loss of his family, his wealth, and his health, his three friends came to be with him and to comfort him. They just sat with him and didn’t open their mouths for seven days. The “ministry of presence” is sometimes all that can be done and all that is needed.
Issues arose when the four of them opened their mouths and continued a book-long theological discussion about the problem of evil and human suffering. The friends turned out to be of no comfort with their words. Job’s problem (why do bad things happen to good people?) was not resolved until God Himself showed up.
Meanwhile, it is a gift and blessing of God that He gives us Christian friends who will respond to our need by coming to be with us in distress. The fellowship of believers is often a comfort for us when we just need support. Words of advice are not always helpful, while presence can be comforting. Fellow believers respond in love as friends in time of need. Christian fellowship is mutual as believers help and comfort one another.