I saw this on Facebook this afternoon and asked Dr. Michelle Bengtson if I could post it here at FGGAM!
Sitting at chemotherapy with my husband Scott. Thankfully he’s sleeping. As a psychologist, I can’t help but watch and listen to what’s going on around me. One family is crying while friends try to console. Another woman is getting chemotherapy while a “friend” is telling her horror stories of others who were inoperable or died.
She not only negatively influenced her friend (who cried), but also those of us sitting in the same room! It was so upsetting to me to have to listen to, that I had to leave for a while to collect myself and pray for peace of mind.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! If you go visit a friend or loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer or some other medical condition, please don’t share stories of others you know who did not do well or who had a difficult time or who faced complications!
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT
[8] And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
#EncourageOneAnother #SpeakLife #HopePrevails
Thank you Doc……let us keep Scott and Michelle and their boys in our prayers. We pray supernatural healing over Scott, in Jesus name, Amen!
Here is Dr. Michelle’s latest post:
How do you help someone who is grieving at Christmas?
Holidays are hard following the loss of a loved one. After the funeral, life gets back to normal for almost everyone except those grieving. They are forgotten in the midst of their grief and loss.
Grief is not limited only to situations where loss occurs from the death of a loved one or a friend. Grief and loss also happen due to divorce and break-ups, deployment of a loved one in the military, or grief from the loss of employment to name a few.
10 ways to help the grieving at Christmas:
- Pay attention to how your loved one is handling their grief. Each person handles grief in a different way.
- Don’t assume you know what will help. Ask your loved one.
- For some, talking about their loss may help. But, for others, talking makes it worse. Ask your loved one if it would help to talk about their loss.
- Celebrating traditions may help your loved one cherish memories. Ask if they would like to continue those celebrations.
- Give a gift of remembrance in honor of the deceased. Purchase an ornament that honors the loved one that is no longer with you. Or, select a favorite picture and frame it.
- Plant a tree in loving memory or make a donation to a charity.
- Let your loved one cry. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
- Your loved one may seem quiet or distant this holiday season. Be sensitive. Show sympathy and understanding.
- Encourage your loved one’s participation in events but be respectful if they choose to watch instead.
- Sometimes just being there speaks louder than words. Practice the art of listening.
You can’t take away your loved one’s grief but you can be present to provide comfort in their grief.
How will you help the grieving this Christmas?
For more hope and posts like this, visit Dr. Bengtson’s website:https://www.DrMichelleBengtson.com or follow her on Facebook:https://www.Facebook.com/DrMichelleBengtson
To learn more about “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression,” Dr. Bengtson’s newly released book, see: https://drmichellebengtson.com/hope-prevails-book/.
