Dear Dr. B,
A friend of mine just lost a child and I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to say the wrong thing, so instead I don’t say anything. What would you do?
Lost and Silent
Dear Silent,
I can appreciate that you don’t know what to say and don’t want to say the wrong thing. Unfortunately, for those who are grieving, silence can be misinterpreted as a lack of concern.
I’d encourage you to speak from your heart. Be genuine in whatever you say—it does more damage than good to say you’ll be there whenever they need you or you’ll do whatever they need if they then ask something of you and you decline.
Here are some things you are likely to be feeling that I’d encourage you to share with your friend:
- I love you.
- I’m so very sorry you’re going through this.
- I wish I could take away your pain.
- I’m so sad for you.
- I’m praying for you.
In such a time of loss, few words bring true comfort. Sometimes actions bring more comfort:
- Holding their hand
- Giving an extended hug
- Sitting with them while they cry
- Taking a walk with them
- Praying with them and for them
- Physical deeds such as filling their car with gas, doing their laundry, caring for their other children for short spurts, transporting their other children to or from school, cleaning up the dishes or returning dishes after meals have been brought
Remember that everyone grieves in his/her own way, and there is not a specific time limit on grieving. Grieving doesn’t end with the funeral—that’s often when deeper pain and loneliness set in, as others return to “normal life,” while those who are grieving are left to find an unwanted but “new normal.”
Anniversaries of a death, birthdays, mother’s/father’s day, and other holidays bring up painful reminders. Consider calling them or sending a card on such days so they don’t feel alone or forgotten.
Continue to comfort beyond when you see outward signs that they need it.
Thankfully, we have a Heavenly Father who is well acquainted with our grief.
“He was despised and rejected–a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3).
When a Friend Loses a Child
What ways have you found to either comfort others or be of comfort to yourself?
Hope Prevails,
Dr. B
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
A short brief about Hope Prevails.
Hope Prevails
Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression
Dr. Michelle Bengtson
Speaking from personal and professional experience, a neuropsychologist unpacks what depression is, shows how it affects us spiritually, and offers hope for living the abundant life.
Neuropsychologist Offers Hope to Those Struggling with Depression
-By 2020, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide
- An estimated 350 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression
- As with the bestselling My Stroke of Insight, the author experienced the same condition she treats
- Helpful features include personal stories, biblical truths, prayers, and music recommendations
In Hope Prevails, Dr. Bengtson writes with deep compassion and empathy, blending her extensive training and faith, to offer readers a hope that is grounded in God’s love and grace. She helps readers understand what depression is, how it affects them spiritually, and what, by God’s grace, it cannot do. The result is a treatment plan that addresses the whole person—not just chemical imbalances in the brain.
For those who struggle with depression and those that want to help them, Hope Prevails offers real hope for the future.
Hope Prevails is available now wherever books are sold. To find out more, see: http://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
I find comfort in God’s word. His promises are clear and consoling. ‘The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’ Psalm 34:18
I too find comfort in God’s word. I am thankful that He is close to the brokenhearted and saves us when we are crushed in spirit. Thank you for that beautiful and comforting reminder!
What a comforting post! I’m visiting from #ThursdayTheologyBlogs.
Thanks so much!
(I also tweeted your automated tweets – great stuff!)
Angie
http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/
Thank you for visiting Angie. I hope you’ll remember this post and the comforting suggestions I tried to offer in case you ever have opportunity to minister to someone in need. Blessings to you!
Thank you so much for sharing with #ThursdayTheologyBLogs! I have tweeted and stumbled your post!
Thanks for stopping by Carrie Ann! I pray this information is useful to those who find it.
I recently met a lady whose daughter was tragically murdered while serving as a student missionary on a small island. She said that the worst thing that a person can do is to ignore the elephant in the room–it’s ok if people ask her about her daughter–she wants to share Kirsten’s story and it makes her sad when people just ignore the beautiful life that her daughter lived for 21 short years.
You make a very good point Anita. Ignoring the loss only makes the wound greater. Thanks for sharing that!
You are so right when you state that silence can be misinterpreted and it’s the same for those with catastrophically ill children as well! Say something – acknowledge the pain, preferably without advice! 🙂
Carol, you mentioned a very good point: it’s important to say something but preferably without advice. Grief doesn’t need advice, it needs comfort and support! Thanks for that reminder.
What a great post on grieving in general. I always struggle with knowing what to say and honestly, when I’m in the grieving shoes, always wonder what I even want to hear the most. These are wonderful. Thanks so much for linking up at MeetUp Monday, and hope to see you again next week!
Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement Amanda! Hope Prevails!
Michelle, thank you for this. Our daughter is alive but has refused contact for 10 years. This is especially hard because as we continue to grieve it often feels like people blame us. We have never stopped loving her and would welcome her back at any time. Thanks for helping those of us who grieve. Blessings to you!
Deb, I am so sorry for your painful situation, and your daughter’s choice. As a mother, I know that must be heart-wrenching. I can see where you might be the object of others’ blame-not because of anything you did, but because of how our enemy, the accuser of the brethren, twists and lies and manipulates to cause dissension. I know that our Heavenly Father is pleased that despite the outward circumstances, you choose to count your blessings. I will be praying for you and your daughter, and that as you have trained her up in the way she should go, she will come back to that and to you. Because of Him, Hope Prevails, my friend!