There is a time for exhortation and a time for comfort. When a person is hurting, exhortation usually falls on deaf ears. The word for speak means to say a great volume of words, to preach. When someone is hurting James admonishes us to turn off the tap and cut the flow of words. Our natural tendency is to correct, not comfort.
Correction comes after compassion has soothed the sore.
Remember, encouragement, compassion and motivation presented in positive packages at the right time help the hurting become majestic trees of righteousness who finish life well. Craig's father was a highly successful petroleum engineer. He demanded excellence from himself and expected the same from his family. He motivated Craig like the mechanical rabbit at the dog race, running slow enough to excite the dogs, but fast enough not to be caught. Craig's academic abilities never quite measured up to Dad's expectations.