Compassion

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:32

Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines compassion as “the sympathetic consciousness of other’s distress and the desire to alleviate it.”   Just reading this definition brings tears to my eyes as I think of the grate compassion that God has for us ( Lamentation 3:22). 

To sympathize requires one to have pity and sorrow for another’s misfortune.  Sympathy requires you to step outside of your circumstances and attempt to understand the plight of another.  God has pity on us.  He saw how sin was destroying us and keeping us separated from Him( Isaiah 59:2, the source of restoration and reconciliation( Colossians 1:20).

But He did not only pity us, He moved to alleviate, to improve our condition, and change our situation of distress into one of joy and redemption.  He had compassion on us by giving us His Son.  He brought us back unto Himself by paying the heavy burden of debt that sin places on us.  He saved us from death by sacrificing His Son on the cross.  Jesus had compassion on us by being obedient to the Father. He gave His life for ours. ( John 3:16)  He conquered death and because He lives we can live ( Revelations 1:18).

He saw our need and moved to do something about it.  He didn’t try to fix us, but He fixed our situation so that we could come to knowledge of His Saving Grace. His compassion opened our eyes to the truth so that we can choose life over death.  His compassion has given us access to the way, the truth and the life.   His love has transformed us.  He has made us new ( 2 Corinthians 5:17). I wasn’t a shiny new object, clean from the mud and muck of sin when I came, surrendered, to Him.  I had not fixed myself.  No, His blood cleansed and continues to cleanse me ( 1 John 1:7)  and gives me new clothes to wear. I am covered in His righteousness. His love has compassion on me. 

Therefore, I must follow His example and have compassion towards others.  I must not seek to burden them with “ do this and that strategies”.  I have to be careful not to try to fix people, but rather spend my energy on trying to alleviate their distress.  How can I make the situation better?  How can I pray for them?  What do I have to offer to help bear this burden with them?  I must step outside of myself and be aware of others.  Seek to serve and follow through.  I must share the love of Christ and extend grace as it has been extended to me.

Father forgive me for trying to fix people.  Help me to be compassionate and kind; helping those in need.  May I forgive as You have forgiven me.  May I love as You love me.  In Jesus name. Amen