In the previous articles, we dealt with “pain” and why man undergoes pain throughout his life. We posed some questions regarding the way people resist pain, invest it in building their personalities, or if they take it as a justification for neglecting their responsibilities. Yet, more questions might pop into one’s mind: What do you do for people in pain? Does their suffering matter for you? Or do you just ignore it? Do you stop and grieve over their suffering for a while, or do you help them? Actually, would you pause and ask yourself, ‘What can I do for them?’
In fact, all people go through a certain amount of pain. Some suffer from physical pain, while others suffer psychologically: due to poverty, loss of hope, feeling rejected or unloved, or for someone they cherish. So, hurry and help others that God might send you help whenever you go through trouble. Do not be a cause for anybody’s pain. According to reposed Pope Shenouda III, “If you cannot help others with their troubles, then, at least, do not cause these troubles.” It is also said, “If you cannot leave a good impression in people’s hearts, do not implant an unforgettable pain within them.”
At all rates, you can do a lot for troubled people. Yet, to help them effectively, understand the reason of their trouble.
If you are an expert in any field, then do you duty honestly: for this helps people overcome their pain. There are several examples for this. In the field of science, we have Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin. There is also William Morton, the discoverer of anesthesia. A statue of him was built near his tomb. On it, the following was inscribed, “William Morton, the inventor and revealer of operative anesthesia through inhalation which eased the pain of surgery. Before him surgeries were tormenting.”
Likewise, you can use your mind, talents and potential to help troubled people. Some people need your advice to move toward success. Others need your comforting words to fill them with hope. There are people who need your encouragement to restore their self-confidence, while others need your active listening in order to feel reassured and overcome their crises.
The most beautiful thing you can ever offer is to empathize with others and share their pain. Here one would recall a lovely story about genuine love: “Once upon a time, a lady heard loud knocking on her door. She hurried and opened it, only to find her neighbor telling her: My son is late; he has not arrived yet! I do not know where to go…I shall go look for him! The lady just locked the door behind her and accompanied her neighbor looking for the boy, though she knew quite well that he died long ago!” This lady continued to empathize with her neighbor, unwilling to leave her in pain. This is true love. If you want to give genuinely and bounteously, then know that true love is the secret.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
