You say Your Pain is Overwhelming

When I had had a great loss, the death of my beloved husband, it felt overwhelming and I felt alone. I knew it must not be true, but I felt as if no one else had been through so much pain as I had. Oh, people were very nice, but no one seemed to understand. Even older women, who had lost their husbands, seemed to downplay my sorrow. Some people wanted me to “get over it” so I would be “myself” again.

My pain was fresh and that made it overwhelming to me. It even hurt physically. My body ached with it. Other people seemed to deal with loss better than I.  Do I not have faith? Why doesn’t God seem close like He did before?

The truth is that you cannot compare pain with pain. Your pain is unique and it’s yours alone. No one else can completely understand what you’re going through. But compassionate people can listen and hear. I did have friends who did listen and they persevered in being with me. I spent time with those people.

Later the friends who were afraid of my pain could handle me when I was on the way to healing. I forgave those who weren’t able to be there for me. Not everyone can. May God send some compassionate listeners their way if they need some. Maybe even send me!