Verses 1-7
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Elihu wanted to speak to Job with upright motives and without being burdensome. In other words, he wanted to be helpful, not condemning. To make sure that his words didn't feel heavy, he wanted to speak like someone Job could relate to (verse 6), without coming off higher or “holier-than-thou”. In this chapter at least, it seems he accomplished this.
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If you are going to give advice to someone, do it out of love. Make sure that you are doing so because you want to be helpful. Don't be solemn; be friendly!
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Verses 8-16
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Elihu here delivers a correction to Job. Job had many times in his words said that he was innocent and righteous (Job 10:7, 12:4, 16:17, 23:11-12, 27:2-6). Although his integrity was remarkable, he never claimed to be completely perfect. We know that he did admit to having sinned, at least in the past (Job 13:26). However, he certainly overemphasized his integrity, it seems, likely speaking of it more than he should have.
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As such, he could not see the reason why God had acted against him by allowing him to suffer (Job 13:23-24). As Job 32:2 says, “...he justified himself rather than God.”
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Therefore, Elihu wanted to show Job that speaking of his righteousness was itself unrighteous. Now, Job's claim to innocence was not entirely unrighteous, because he was telling the truth. So, his unrighteousness may have been in thinking that his integrity made his suffering unjustified (Job 7:20-21, 10:3-7, 13:23-24).
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And out of this thinking, Job demanded an explanation from God. Elihu confronts this, saying to Job, essentially, that man has no right to demand an explanation from God for anything that He does (verses 13-14). This is true!
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All in all, when you face difficult times, justify God, not yourself. Trust that God is righteous both in what He does and what He allows. You can humbly pray for an explanation (God can give one even through dreams [verses 15-16]), but if one is not given, trust even more still.
Verses 17-33
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In this passage, Elihu describes one reason why God allows afflictions. Suffering is a tool that God uses to bring man to salvation. Through pain and loss of pleasure, people more often pray to God for help (verse 26). Jesus Christ acts as the mediator between God and man (verses 23-24), people repent (verse 27), and mercy is granted. Life is spared (verse 25), and people are saved from hell (verse 28).
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This teaching brings us valuable perspective to help us understand sufferings in this world. God's desire is that people's souls are saved from eternal damnation. Therefore, the temporary, physical life is not as great a concern. Since suffering is a way to encourage someone to repentance, and thus the salvation of their soul, the temporary affliction of the flesh is a worthwhile sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:29-32).
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In times of suffering in this world, remember that all hardships, though uncomfortable to the flesh, are allowed because they are working for the eternal preservation of your soul and the souls of those around you. See with this perspective, and your hardships will be easier.