How not to help a sufferer.

Before considering what to do to be helpful, Gavin Ortland suggests four things NOT to do. (Read the full article at “How not to help a sufferer.”)

In summary, his four things are

1. don’t be too quick to talk about what God means by this.
2. don’t be too quick to tell how your story turned out.
3. don’t minimize the wrongdoing that led to the suffering (if this is part of the situation)
4. emphasize how this will help them in the future when what they need is compassion and comfort now.

It’s worth a read.