possibly helpful tips

Ages ago I wrote a post about how to help suffering people. It wasn't based on anything other than a bit of the Bible and my own experience, but maybe it will be a help to some of my readers. There's also a chance that this sort of analysis can stop your gut instinct doing a perfectly good job of letting you know what to do - so please only read it if you feel the need for assistance. Looking back, I think the most helpful points are:

• pray for them;
• treat them the same as normal, only more more gently;
• remind them of God's truths;
• cut them slack (in responsibilities and in social interaction);
• remember their pain, ask them how they are and comfort them for a long, long, long time after the awful thing has happened (months and years later).