When People Hurt
Introduction —— In a moment of crisis, so many people are processing pain. The pain may be stress, loss, anxiety, depression, sickness, or grief. I am often asked how to help others who are experiencing pain in a moment of suffering.
Here are a few helpful tips.
All pain has a context —— Each person’s story is unique. Each person’s experiences are unique. And each person’s causes for pain are unique.
You don’t need to fix —— People experiencing pain do not need a person to fix them. They need a person to understand and empathize with them.
Be a relational home —— Be a safe, gentle, and loving relational home that people trust when they are trying to process their pain.
Learn the art of asking questions —— Ask open ended questions. Open ended questions open people up. Yes and no questions do not provide the opportunity for people to share their pain context.
Learn the art of listening —— After you ask questions that open people up, spend time attentively and empathetically listening. You do not need to say a lot to provide help for a person in pain. Your presence and your compassion will speak volumes.
Genuinely love the person—— Love is the greatest source of encouragement and hope that we can provide to a person in pain. Don’t be afraid to lean into someone’s life in a moment of pain.
Someone needs you.
Many prayers to all who are walking through pain — Wesley, Founder