It is easy to be there for your friend and offer a listening ear but are we really there to listen and share their sadness?
Often the words “I’ll pray for you …” are also uttered out of a good intention when a friend cries and you just don’t know what else to say. The poet Ella Wheeler wrote in her well-known poem – “Laugh and the whole word laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.” It is not wrong to advice words of wisdom and knowledge to a friend who is hurting but sometimes words of advice lost its meaning when someone is encountering profound sadness.
While it is good to say encouraging words to those who are hurting, we need to evaluate our words. Some advice may sound like a generic Christian advice to someone who is hurting and you might actually push your friend deeper into their sadness and solitude.
Ever wondered why Jesus sat and wept at Lazarus’ tomb when HE could’ve just performed the miracles and not waste a single drop of tears? Jesus wept with those who wept; HE understands words have no meaning at times of such sorrow. Jesus shared his sadness with the mourners.
When a friend is hurting and you don’t know what else to say, it is alright to weep with them or just take their hand and offer them your company. It helps them more than you think.
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn
- Irene Soon
Often the words “I’ll pray for you …” are also uttered out of a good intention when a friend cries and you just don’t know what else to say. The poet Ella Wheeler wrote in her well-known poem – “Laugh and the whole word laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.” It is not wrong to advice words of wisdom and knowledge to a friend who is hurting but sometimes words of advice lost its meaning when someone is encountering profound sadness.
While it is good to say encouraging words to those who are hurting, we need to evaluate our words. Some advice may sound like a generic Christian advice to someone who is hurting and you might actually push your friend deeper into their sadness and solitude.
Ever wondered why Jesus sat and wept at Lazarus’ tomb when HE could’ve just performed the miracles and not waste a single drop of tears? Jesus wept with those who wept; HE understands words have no meaning at times of such sorrow. Jesus shared his sadness with the mourners.
When a friend is hurting and you don’t know what else to say, it is alright to weep with them or just take their hand and offer them your company. It helps them more than you think.
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn
- Irene Soon
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