I have been thinking about empathy and what it means to be a good friend.
Our culture sends thousands of messages our way about the benefits of positive thinking. We’re encouraged to never speak about anything negative, as though somehow sharing a concern or frustration will promote evil in the world. But this is real life. Some people are experiencing things that can’t and shouldn’t be glossed over.
Of course, nobody likes a Debbie Downer. It’s difficult to be around someone who has nothing positive to say. But it is important to listen when someone is sharing, regardless of whether or not we want to hear it or understand what they are going through. When someone is in the thick of a struggle, sometimes everything will seem black to them. Saying only positive things in response does not help. It is better to validate the feelings of another person before trying to encourage them. Otherwise, a person might feel ignored or even ridiculed.
Letting someone know their feelings have been heard and that you care about them is so important. That kind of love ALWAYS makes a positive impact.