C – Come Immediately!
Immediate response is the first and best thing you should give your loved one when tragedy strikes. You want to calm him or her by being present there with them. Your presence doesn’t only provide him or her a calming influence but also a sense of stability. It’s a way of you indirectly telling them “you will be okay” while everything around them is crashing.
O – Open Your Mouth
Simple is critical in this situation. The key here is to know what to say and what not to say to your loved one. Your words can make them feel better, or it can break your relationship with them. Because of this, you can stick with these 3 simple but genuinely caring messages:
- “I love you”
- “I care about what is happening to you.”
- “I will help you get through this difficult time.
M – Monitor Daily Activities
Since daily routines of your loved one get interrupted during and after a tragedy, something you could do to help keep them in check is to monitor their daily activities. For example, you can make sure he or she eats nutritious meals, and gets enough rest and medical protocol (if needed). By doing this, his or her well-being is maintained to be able to get through this hard time.
P – Pray for All Involved in the Tragedy
Sometimes you don’t have to always say supportive things to your loved ones face-to-face during a tragedy. Something you can do for them is to pray. Prayers are indirect messages to remind them that God is always there for them even when they feel hopeless. It’s also a way of communication to let them know that they can always count on God for peace, comfort and guidance.
A – Ask the Hard Questions
Asking difficult questions during the time of tragedy isn’t easy for either you or your loved ones. But, sometimes it must be done to bring the issues to their attention. They might still be in shock, but by mentioning things that might have been overlooked, you give them time to address the problems and find a resolution. It’s also your opportunity to help them solve the issues as well.
S – Smile
Did you know that laughter can help your brain release the feel-good hormones? Not everyone who’s going through a tough time can smile. But, you can give them good reasons to lighten up the mood by making the effort to smile at the right moments. Finding humor in a difficult situation isn’t always easy, but it’s worth a try to make your loved ones smile!
S – Share Positive Memories
Some choose not to even mention anything related to the past after he or she has lost his or her loved one. But, it can be a relief and positive experience if you know what to share when the other person is ready to talk about the past of their loved ones. Bringing back positive memories, such as photos or videos, can help them focus more on the present and have a better perspective in life.
I – Ignore Little Offenses
When your loved ones are going through a tragedy, they may say and do things that don’t even make sense to them. Their raw emotions and behaviors after a tragedy can hurt your feelings when you’re just trying to offer your help. You should ignore the little offenses. Not dwelling on it is easier to be said than done, but you feel lighter and better when you let it go.
O – Offer Options to Explore
After a tragedy, the frustration usually remains high, so your loved one may refuse to get help or even listen to what you have to say and offer. You can help him or her to move on in life by slowly allowing them to explore different options and possibilities. It may take time at first, but as days go by when things begin to settle down, your loved one will slowly reconsider the options you offer them.
N – Never Give Up
Everyone grieves differently. Everyone takes their time differently, too. You may take a few weeks, but your loved one may take a few months or even longer. And, that’s totally normal and absolutely okay. The key here is to never give up on them as it also helps you to work through your own grief. COMPASSION is your first-aid kit to help others get through their difficult time. No one wants tragedies. Unfortunately , they’re inevitable. But, fortunately love is much more constant and powerful than tragic. You can choose love and care and compassion to give out to the ones in needs, just like what Jesus has given you.