Be Compassionate
Be Compassionate
What does it mean to be compassionate? A friend was struggling with this concept as we were studying the Book of Luke in Chapter 7, where Jesus “had compassion on” a woman whose son had just died. My friend asked me to explain what compassion really means. I gave her three statements that I hope helped her to better understand. First, I said that compassion is seeing others through God’s eyes. God gives love even to those who have deeply hurt us. Therefore, when we accept that God also loves them, it provides a more objective view of His heart and helps us to forgive. Also, when we see others hurt, we can love them with God’s love.
Second, I shared that compassion can mean putting ourselves in another’s place. Empathizing with their circumstances helps us see things from their perspective, rather than judging them based on the surface level of what we observe. This takes a bit of doing, because even the most compassionate among us has the tendency to see things from a subjective view, rather than being other-centered. Do either of these points ring true for you? If not, I’ve always found it helpful to pray and seek God’s help in these two areas.
Finally, I believe that true compassion can be shown by coming alongside a person who is hurting or in need by asking the Lord to reveal how I can be of the most genuine help to them. Believe this: God will show us! The reason it’s so important for believers to be compassionate is that we are meant to reflect the character and love of Jesus. Showing compassion mirrors God’s love in a world that is increasingly manifesting judgment, hate, and rejection toward those who disagree with them. We can choose to be compassionate.
Let us Walk in His Way.
Dear Heavenly Father, compassion is the lovely blossom that comes from the one who abides in the True Vine. Jesus explained in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” May it be so, Lord, as we apply the fruit of compassion to our everyday lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
by Corinne “Kinney” deHamel
author of “Walk in His Way” for
Carry the Light Ministries
