What You Need To Know About Comforting a Friend Having a Miscarriage

People don’t always know what to say to someone who is suffering a miscarriage.

Recently, a dear friend of mine lost a baby.

I’ve been the one losing a baby while friends were blessed with a child. And to be honest, now, after having lost a couple babies and being the one great with child, it would be a natural reaction to feel guilty for being blessed while someone you love is suffering loss.

It’s a devastating experience when you are the one walking through it, and to be honest, it can be one of the loneliest walks through the valley of the shadow of death a woman can walk through because a lot of people just don’t know what to say or do to show they care!

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
Romans 12:15, NKJV

I have written on this topic of weeping with one another and rejoicing with one another more in-depth in my book, Redeeming Childbirth. And as I have gotten the opportunity to speak at MANY moms groups and women’s retreats over the past twelve years, this topic is one that always comes up. The ability to both rejoice with those who are rejoicing and weep with those who are weeping.

What is easier for you? To rejoice or weep?

Do you struggle with truly weeping with those walking through the valley?

Many women believe the lie, that unless they have walked through it themselves, they can’t possibly minister to those who suffer! The enemy disables women from fulfilling the charge in Scripture to care for one another and we need to try harder.

We, women, need to care more about serving one another than we do relating to one another.

You all know of the intense experience my family and I suffered through miscarriages, and I would never desire a friend to go through that just so she could relate to me. None of us would! So you can see, the logic that leads us to hold ourselves to such a standard is absurd.

If you have never experienced the loss of a baby or child, praise God! Praise Him! But do not allow yourself to feel ill-equipped for serving your Sister in Christ who has suffered.

That is a lie from the enemy. He doesn’t want us to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The enemy’s will would be for those suffering to be isolated, lonely, and to become entrapped in depression. You have an incredible opportunity not only to serve, love, and impact your Sister in Christ, but God WILL undoubtedly use this to grow the fruit of longsuffering in you.

If you are willing to walk through the valley with her, interceding for her, you will grow and be blessed beyond belief and your relationship with her and the Father will grow closer than you ever imagined.

Sometimes, just a gesture is all the grieving really need; a little something to show them you do care!

Here are some ideas:

A phone call or text to say you’re sorry for their loss and or praying for them
Text them a prayer
Send flowers or a letter
Take a meal
Offer to take their other kids for the day or weekend
Sit with her and let her tell her story—this is very therapeutic & healing
Clean her home for her or go in on paying for house cleaners with some other friends
Reach out to her other children and connect with them
Pray for her- weep with her
Do not ignore that there was a baby, but instead celebrate it with her
Validate her and protect her from believing lies from the enemy. Many women struggle with guilt after a miscarriage. It is not their fault!
Get her out after a few weeks and treat her to a pedicure
Just sit with her in silence

What not to do:

Do not ignore the reality of what she is going through. It hurts when people you have invested a friendship in don’t even mention it or send a text even. That pain goes deep and to be honest, the friendship might never really go to the same depth it was. This is the TRUE mark of friendship to weep with one another and practice longsuffering.
Don’t tell her you “know” what she is going through. It’s a very different experience for every woman. And don’t compare your situation to hers.
Don’t say things like, “at least you have the other three or ________!” No baby can ever be replaced.
Don’t compare the loss of a child to getting sick or some other more minor suffering.
Don’t say, “Oh, I am sorry. That is very common these days.” Brushing off her pain and loss is just rude and insensitive, not to mention totally worldly. God doesn’t feel that way about any of his children. AND A CHILD DIED! When we grieve the loss of an unborn baby, we are actually a light to the world because they do not believe they were a baby yet! Let her grieve and treat her as you would want to be treated. READ THIS POST: It’s good to grieve the loss of your baby
Don’t minimize her experience or rush her grieving process. God has a work to do in her. Be patient in this affliction and longsuffering. This is good for your spiritual growth too.
Do not allow fear of saying the wrong thing stop you from reaching out.

Walking through hardship with others is God’s design for His family and it grows us as it blesses others.

She will most likely need someone to hold her to the truth she knows in God’s word at some point. Be willing to do that. Be willing to be brave.

If walking through a miscarriage with another person hurts because it reminds you of the pain you have suffered yourself; realize that God still has growing and healing to do in you and this just might be part of His great purpose in it all.

If you have a friend who is struggling through miscarriage here are some of the most popular posts here at Courageous Mom on the topic of miscarriage:

I also share my miscarriage story on my youtube channel and on the blog, which can give you some insight into what a woman can go through.

I pray that in my sharing you are more equipped and encouraged to really honor, love, serve, and bless those in your life who are walking through miscarriage. Many blessings on you for desiring to be this kind of sister.

Be Courageous,

Sister Angie

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What You Need to Know About Comforting a Friend Who is Having a Miscarriage