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Sadness is awkward. It makes us uncomfortable when other people are in pain. Wouldn’t you agree?

Today’s wisdom is from Kendra Broekhuis whose baby died when she was 33 weeks along in her pregnancy.

Kendra says, “Sadness is awkward. It makes us uncomfortable when other people are in pain. For that reason we might think that it’s best to avoid that person and their pain altogether. But what’s worse than saying the wrong thing, is saying nothing at all. A million times worse. Do something. Or say something. Even if the only thing we can think of is, ‘I don’t know what to say.’ Do what it takes to acknowledge their pain, and remind them that we are there to walk with them through it.

“What’s worse than saying the wrong thing, is saying nothing at all”

Nancie Guthrie, in her book Holding On to Hope, adds “So many people are afraid to bring up my loss. They don’t want to upset me. But my tears are the only way I have to release the deep sorrow I feel. I tell people, “Don’t worry about crying in front of me, and don’t be afraid that you will make me cry! Your tears tell me you care, and my tears tell you that you’ve touched me in a place that is meaningful to me—and I will never forget your willingness to share my grief.”

So who do you know today who is suffering? Say something. Do something . . . even if it is the wrong thing. Yes, saying the wrong thing is still better than saying nothing at all.

Read more of Kendra Broekhuis’ wisdom of how others cared for her when her baby died.