Pushing Through Pain

I've struggled the past couple of days on writing an article. There is a couple my wife and I know that are going through a tough time. My intent is not to burden you with their story but express some ideas and thoughts about pushing through in tough times.

“There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and have recovered hope.” - George Eliot

These people are very good friends of ours that have had their certain share of pain and troubles. They have recently begun a travel in life that will be emotionally difficult and financially draining. What is it you can say to people in such a situation? What can be said that does not end up sounding simply like words?

“Courage is not the absence of despair; it is, rather, the capacity to move ahead in spite of despair.” - Rollo May

To support people in times of trouble requires being there. It requires providing them an outlet to talk. It requires remaining positive and providing them with emotional strength to push through. I have used the following quote before and have yet to know where it comes from. But I do find it appropriate to use in saying to anyone in times of trouble - stay strong, persevere and find yourself on the other side of pain.

“God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.”