“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” (Mary Anne Radmacher)

Courage means not giving up, even though we may often feel like quitting. And for survivors, there are often many reasons to quit: Maybe the pain is too much. Maybe change is taking too long. Maybe they’re not getting the support they need from people around them. Maybe disappointment is overwhelming, fear is constant, the future appears dark.

Those feelings are real and understandable. Please try not to use the word “just” when talking with survivors about not giving up. You cannot know how much they are struggling. To say things like “Just keep trusting,” “Just read your Bible more,” “Just know that God loves you” is to dismiss their pain and distress.

What can you do? Listen, and silently pray while you’re listening. Acknowledge that they have a right to feel pain and fear and anything else. Gently remind them how strong they are and how far they’ve come. Ask what you can do to help. Don’t give up on them.