Holding Space in Times of Hurt
Updated: Apr 13, 2022
Pain is hard on everyone, but we can weather it together
In our darkest moments, we hope and expect our loved ones will be there for us. And they usually are. But we often are not satisfied with their level of support. They didn't listen enough, they were distracted, they didn't put us first, they didn't give enough, they could have done more.
At least, that's how we see it when we are surrounded by pain and struggle. We don't allow our loved ones to be the flawed humans they are while we are busy collapsing into our own despair. Harmful, unforgiving words are often said. Or sometimes silence suffocates a chance for quick resolution and comfort. And then nobody is supporting anyone.
If we could just pause and step outside of our hurting selves to see that our loved ones won't always be perfect in how they attend to our wounds, but they'll give us everything they can in that moment, then we have a better chance at fullness and richness in our relationships. Sometimes it's100% and sometimes they fall short.
We all need grace.
We all need space to be held for us.