Walking With Others Through Life’s Valleysनमुना
GRIEVING WITH SOMEONE
We’ve all been there. A family member or a close friend experiences the death of a spouse, a parent, or a child. In the days and weeks that follow, we struggle to find the right words to bring them comfort and healing. In such situations, maybe, like me, you’ve said things like, “They’re in a better place,” or “At least they’re not suffering anymore.” But, usually, no sooner have we spoken those words than we’re confronted with a painful truth: our well-meaning words are powerless to offer any true comfort!
The first problem is there really is nothing we can say to heal the pain of someone whose loved one has died. And that leads to the second problem: our own sense of helplessness. When a person we care about is suffering deeply, we naturally want to ease their pain and make them feel better. But we struggle with the realization that nothing we say will diminish their grief.
But as often happens in life, what we perceive as the problem may actually be the answer. What our grieving loved ones need in those difficult moments is not our words, but us, our presence, our willingness to sit with them in silence if necessary, to cry with them, or to listen as they share their grief. Will this wipe away their sorrow? No. But being quietly present – as Job’s three friends so rightly did in the beginning of his trials – allows those we care about to draw upon our strength as they walk through their pain.
For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly’s blog, Daly Focus, at JimDalyBlog.com.
We’ve all been there. A family member or a close friend experiences the death of a spouse, a parent, or a child. In the days and weeks that follow, we struggle to find the right words to bring them comfort and healing. In such situations, maybe, like me, you’ve said things like, “They’re in a better place,” or “At least they’re not suffering anymore.” But, usually, no sooner have we spoken those words than we’re confronted with a painful truth: our well-meaning words are powerless to offer any true comfort!
The first problem is there really is nothing we can say to heal the pain of someone whose loved one has died. And that leads to the second problem: our own sense of helplessness. When a person we care about is suffering deeply, we naturally want to ease their pain and make them feel better. But we struggle with the realization that nothing we say will diminish their grief.
But as often happens in life, what we perceive as the problem may actually be the answer. What our grieving loved ones need in those difficult moments is not our words, but us, our presence, our willingness to sit with them in silence if necessary, to cry with them, or to listen as they share their grief. Will this wipe away their sorrow? No. But being quietly present – as Job’s three friends so rightly did in the beginning of his trials – allows those we care about to draw upon our strength as they walk through their pain.
For a daily dose of encouragement and perspective, check out Jim Daly’s blog, Daly Focus, at JimDalyBlog.com.
पवित्र शास्त्र
या योजनेविषयी
Think of the people around you – family, friends, co-workers. Many of them may be suffering great pain in life and could use a special touch from the Lord. That’s where you come in. God often extends His healing hand through the loving compassion of His people. We weren’t designed to journey alone, but to walk hand-in-hand through life’s valleys with each other, strengthened by the love and support of a community. This week, let’s explore how you can be the hands and feet of Christ in the lives of those around you.
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We would like to thank Jim Daly for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.jimdalyblog.com