You may have difficult news about yourself or someone you hold dear. This unwelcome news may leave you reeling and call for a radical rethink of your priorities or your future.
Guidance from your chosen belief
Christian perspective
What should we do when we have feelings of devastation, powerlessness, anger and isolation feel?
Firstly be honest with God about how you feel. Jesus suffering on the cross, cried out: ‘My God, my God why have you forsaken me?’ (Matt 27:46). Remember that God hears your prayer, he may not always heal in the way we want but he gives strength to help you through. ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1). After all God promises to be with us in our time of need. ‘Be still and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10). Always hope. Whatever you are going through; God’s love is stronger. (Romans 8:37-39)
Muslim perspective
You may be in a situation where you have received some difficult or sad news. Maybe it is something that will have a massive impact on your life going forward, something that you didn’t see coming or that you didn’t plan for. Perhaps you are experiencing some strong emotions such as anger, guilt or regret and are struggling to make sense or process these. This news is difficult enough, but as a Muslim you may feel you should have more sabr (patience) and so you feel guilty for not coping.
During difficult times in the lives of Muslims, The Quran teaches us to see life’s difficulties as a test from Allah (God) and to be used as an opportunity for reflection and spiritual growth. Many of us will turn to Allah for strength and comfort. Indeed the Quran tells us
“Oh believers seek help through patience and prayer and God is with those who are patient.” (Baqara: 153).
Whilst the reward for being patient during difficult times is enormous, with the promise that Allah will be our companion. It is ok to be experiencing these difficult emotions, do be patient with yourself.
Humanist perspective
Ill health can often bring new realities to your life that mean not only a change in your circumstances, but a change in your outlook. As Humanists we actively seek to find meaning in our one life and live purposefully to make a positive difference in the world. The shock of new realities and the recalibration of the present and future takes time to sink in and process. Equipping yourself with all the medical information and choices, calling on the support of those who love you and reprioritising what is important can lead you to a path that is calmer and more resolved. The process of struggling with the news takes time and it is important to give yourself that time.
Sikh perspective
It is easy to keep positive when our circumstances are supporting us, but how do we maintain our spiritual upliftment when times are hard?
The Sri Guru Granth Sahib explains that this comes from the practice of consciously seeing God in every situation, no matter how good or bad.
That sounds easy to do, right? But difficult in practice, especially when obstacles seem enormous or overwhelming.
Each of us go through difficulties in different ways and challenges bring up different memories or programs for each of us. There are many shabads to practice, so find the ones that offer you the most comfort and relief. Ideally, they would open your heart, give you faith and allow you to come into a place of understanding that all is in God’s hands. From this place, you can then make your prayer for the energy of God’s Grace to expand to a particular situation or for yourself.
Hindu perspective
Even though you may accept tragedy as the will of God or a test from God, sad news inevitably has an impact on your immediate thoughts and emotions as you process the news. Tragedy is the fruit of a previous karma, an opportunity for redemption by acting with fortitude and righteousness. Put your trust in God and ask for strength to overcome this difficult period or bear the loss. In the Shri Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna says that whatever happens in the world, happens as the will of the divine. May you have faith in the divine to help you to accept your fate with equanimity and calmness.
Buddhist perspective
Whatever comes into being out of causes and conditions is sure to have its end, its nature is to arise and pass away. When what was born goes back to the unarisen then there is calm and peace. We return this body which we once knew as to the Earth, its true owner. As the elements break up, we may find release from the turmoil of life suffering into the peace of deathlessness. Those who cross to the further shore are few, most people only run up and down the bank. Difficult though it be to escape, those who practise diligently according to the Truth will surely go beyond Death’s realm.
Jewish perspective
The bible is full of stories of sharing difficult news – from the moment in the garden of Eden when God asks the human being “Where are you” – knowing full well the situation which will lead to the inevitable consequence of expulsion, we can learn that difficult news must be given thoughtfully, in a gentle environment and with some relationship building and support before the news is delivered. When his sons inform Jacob of the loss of his beloved Jacob, they first show him the bloodstained coat and ask if he recognises it, giving him some visual clue and allowing him to gently reach the conclusion himself that his son is dead. Again and again when difficult news is to be encountered, bible shows us compassionate news-tellers, who do not address the news brusquely or directly, but allow objects or sounds or other non verbal signals to introduce the issue slowly and gently before the news is given or confirmed, and who then support the recipients in processing the facts. (God makes clothes for the humans for example). The traditional response on receiving the news of a death (Blessed is the True Judge) allows the hearer also to both connect to God and see the death as not a random event but in some way connected to a larger reality.
Pagan perspective
We all handle difficult news in different ways. Some get angry. Some feel panicked. Others want to pretend it isn’t happening. However, you respond, allow yourself grace and compassion. Give yourself time to come to terms with whatever you’re facing.
You don’t have to deal with this alone. Pagans have a strong focus on community. We come together to celebrate the cycles of the moon and the phases of nature. Seek comfort from others. Remember Your Deities, and those who walk alongside you are always with you. You may like to turn to them for support in this trying time.
Jain perspective
Difficult news means the situation of unexpected occurrence such as parting of a loved one. Jain scriptures explain such situation as the result of karma. Karma that had given happiness have ended and the adverse karma have come to effect. Prayers will ease the pain.
Baha'i perspective
“He (God) will never deal unjustly with anyone, neither will He task a soul beyond its power. He, verily, is the Compassionate, the All-Merciful.”
(Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, LII)