Illness

Pain More Or Less

by Terry Barlow
01/25/17
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She spoke her husband's name in the middle of the night, "Can you put your hand on the back of my head?"

"Of course,.... is there any other way I can help?"

"No," she answered, "You're already helping, just knowing you are here with me."

If a person is in pain, be it physical or emotional, aloneness only intensifies the pain.  And the intensified pain tends to make afraid.  Then that fear can produce tension which only heightens the pain that much more.  Things can spiral downward quickly into a state of desperation or even panic.  But having someone who cares nearby, and even feeling the prayerful touch of that person can make the pain more bearable, can even make the pain seem to lessen.  The ones nearby, out of their sense of helplessness, may not be able to say or do a thing.  But their very presence is enough.  Their caring presence alone can bring an assurance and a reassurance that somehow things are going to be ok, and that, if things aren't going to be ok, that may be ok too.