Making Time for Compassion for Grieving Friends

Make time to show compassion to friends grieving the loss of a loved one. Read the ways you can make a meaningful difference in others time of grief.

Grieving friends need to feel your love

Does reaching out with compassion come naturally to you?

If it does, you are special.

We mean to.

We make a mental note to send a card, take a casserole, or go over with cleaning supplies. Then we go back to the work of the day, and the good deed slips to the back of your mind. Time passes and you feel foolish acknowledging such a sad trauma so late.

That is why making time for compassion should go on your daily planner list.

Oh, we feel the compassion. Our hearts reach out in empathy and we talk to God about them. The feelings are truly there. Sometimes we just don’t take action.

However, even if it’s weeks later, reach out.

Grief doesn’t go away overnight, and grief acknowledged late might fill a need your friend feels right then.

What the Bible says about compassion

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
compassionate hearts…
Colossians 3:12

Jesus took the time to travel to Bethany when His friend Lazarus died. He didn’t go straight away, but He went when the time felt right to Him. Mary and Martha, especially impatient Martha, may have felt betrayed that He didn’t come sooner. We don’t know why He waited.

Then, when Jesus got there, He felt so much compassion and sorrow that He wept. And raised His friend from the dead.

We can’t restore what our friends lost, but showing up and sharing their sorrow is doing what Jesus did.

Perhaps just as important is to let them know you are praying for them. Prayers are distinctly felt and hold up the grieving loved ones in many ways.

Suicide is extra hard, for the family, and for those who want to share love and caring. While it is not easy, don’t dodge it. Go. Make time. They need it more than if they had suffered some other type of loss. This story tells about it.

Which words to share in a time of grief

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Often we hesitate to express sympathy because we don’t know what to say.

A hug and letting the tears fall with the grieving ones can be as important as words.

When you can’t attend the funeral in person, reaching out with a letter or a card is the second best way to express sympathy.

In the image above you can see my Father’s memorial booklet and a stack of cards. The cards where people shared a memory of Dad were really special. Some mentioned things I had no idea he had done, and some were funny and brought a smile.

If you need a prompt when you want to express compassion, CaringBridge.org has a blog with very helpful advice.

Follow your feelings, and the right words will come. Trust yourself. Maybe we can take a leaf out of my glittle’s book. When a friend passed on, she came to me and in a sweet voice said, “He passed right through Heaven’s gate, I know he did.” Simple words that carry a lot of comfort.

So make time for showing compassion when loved ones grieve.

Remember, the most important aspect of showing compassion is the genuine intention behind your actions. It’s not about grand gestures, but the sincerity of your support.