In "A Grief Observed," C.S. Lewis reflects on the intense feelings of despair that can arise during times of suffering. He compares this state to a drowning person who is unable to accept help due to their frantic struggles. When someone is overwhelmed by emotional pain and continuously cries for assistance, they may inadvertently block out the very guidance or solace they seek.

Lewis suggests that in those moments of deep distress, it is essential to find stillness and openness rather than desperate clinging. By being overly absorbed in our own turmoil, we can become deaf to the comfort and support that might surround us. This insight emphasizes the importance of finding calm amidst chaos to truly hear what we need in times of grief and hardship.