Just Listen

What do you do when someone shares their sorrow with you?

While no one has shared their deepest darkest sorrow with me, they have hinted to their feelings. Usually, I'm at a loss about what I'm supposed to do. Should I pray with them? Should I change the subject to a happier one? Should I say I know how they feel, or share a similar experience?

I think part of this is our culture's need to react or respond quickly. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just listen. Don't try to fix their problems. Just listen. Hold their hand, cry with them.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15

I usually don't think about being quiet and listening. Sometimes someone else's problem may not seem like a big deal to you. The thing is, they are in a dark moment. Be in the moment with them, for just a second. If you were in their shoes, you would feel the weight of the sorrow they are currently experiencing.

If you were in a dark place, and you shared your pain with someone, wouldn't you want them to just understand for a minute? They want the same thing, even if it's something silly.

After they come out of that dark place, after all the fear and sorrow is over, they will look back and realize either it wasn't that bad after all, or they will just be happy they made it through. But the one thing they will remember the most is not what you said, but how you treated them, how you sat beside them, held their hand, listened, and cried with them. That is a better comfort, a better gift, than anything you could say.

~Elizabeth :)

Jesus Loves You! <3