If you’ve ever felt uncertain about what is helpful to say or do to support people experiencing a deep loss, worry no more. The Hope Heroes Course is for you.
Think about it.
How do Hope Heroes get their start? Where do they find the courage to show up and care for others without feeling awkward?
A Hope Hero may always experience some level of discomfort with grief. It’s natural. But they choose to push past the discomfort and lean into expressing compassion. Adding value to others is a soul-satisfying purpose.
Some grievers need permission to be vulnerable and talk about their grief. They need a gentle Hope Hero to be kindly curious about their story.
Golf and Grief
Bill is a golf pro who works at a private golf course. Grieving parents, John and Carolyn, are members of this course and frequent golfers. Bill always felt uncertain about what to say to them—as did all the staff—so no one said a thing about the loss of their son.
After taking part in the Hope Heroes Course and learning simple skills, Bill wasn’t sure if this would work for him, but wanted to try it.
Soon after, he ran into John at the golf course and tested out one caring idea.
Bill kindly said, “John, I know it’s been several years since you lost your son, Kyle. I never really knew him. Could you tell me a little about your son?”
Without hesitation, John recalled several stories. With tears and some laughter, the men shared a special connection as Bill compassionately listened.
John’s parting comment was, “Thank you, Bill, for asking me about my son.”
There was a deep joy Bill felt at honoring and validating John’s grief with an invitation to talk about it. With candor, Bill admitted that he would have never thought to ask John to share stories of his son if not for taking the Hope Heroes course.
A complete shift has occurred in Bill’s approach to people experiencing a loss. Reflecting on the change in himself, Bill said, “I used to avoid the awkwardness of talking to people who were grieving. But now I feel confident and prepared. And it has surprised me how open and thankful people are when I engage with them.”
A close connection
God has created us for connection and intimate relationships that reflect His love.
We help to carry the burden of someone’s significant loss by listening with empathy and responding with compassion. While we can’t fix the pain, the heavy load of grief feels lighter when it is shared.
In the course, Bill discovered that living with a bias towards empathy rather than sympathy is how a Hope Hero responds.
Sympathy is holding someone at arm’s length and feeling sorry for them.
Empathy is coming close and feeling someone’s pain with them.
When we know how to respond and why it’s important, our confidence grows and our impact on supporting others increases. Asking God for His wisdom, we gain additional insights to apply what we have learned.
More than ever, hurting, broken people need an encounter with the living God who is extending His love through us—His children.
When you help a grieving soul escape the grip of despair by showing up with love and empathy, you are a Hope Hero. What a deeply satisfying purpose. Please don’t underestimate the power of your presence in their life.
Start small
Dream big but start small. Begin your mission as a Hope Hero by showing up for one grieving person in your circle of friends or acquaintances. Be the reason they feel supported as they mourn devastating losses.
If you need some practical steps and ideas, get the Hope Heroes Course. A onetime investment of $97 will remove the uncertainty you feel and provide confidence with simple steps to start a meaningful connection.
Developing your skills in this area as a Hope Hero is universally needed now. People who are grieving need to experience the hope of Christ through you.
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.” Phil 2.13 NLT
Cheering you on,
Shirley
