When the suffering is silent

It’s so easy to overlook what others are going through.

I had a conversation with someone recently who has a relative in the public eye. Folks are so awestruck with the relative and her contacts, they forget that the relative suffers on a daily and even hourly basis.

When anyone deals with a chronic or ongoing disability, it’s easy to forget what their life is like. We move on, and we think they have. But they haven’t. And barring a miracle, perhaps never will. And often, they never say a word about their circumstances.

In many ways, it’s like grief after a loss. We move out into the world hurting, and yet, the world can’t see and sometimes doesn’t care to see. The world presses ahead. So, we carry the hurt—an invisible wound—and do the best we can.

But, oh, what a blessing it is when someone takes a moment to say in a genuine way, “How are you, really?” And not just looking for a quick “I’m fine.”

It takes a willingness to step into the suffering of another—to bear the burden.

Paul said it, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). When we risk carrying another’s burdens, it’s not about being a nice guy, it’s about fulfilling the law of Christ.

As my recent experience has reminded me, it could just as well be any of us in the difficult circumstance. And it only takes a moment in time for our situation to be changed.

So, let us all be challenged to stop in our busyness, which often is nothing more than a distraction, look around, and reach out to those who may be suffering silently.

They will be blessed, and so will you.