Moved With Compassion

It was a car trip home one day after school and a big bug was buzzing around the cab. Our daughter–who was 4 at the time, was screaming, visibly upset because she thought it was going to sting her, and one of her other siblings in the back kept his nose in the book completely unaware of what was going on and her distress. He didn’t move. He didn’t acknowledge her and what she was going through.

It is easy to become calloused to situations–sometimes to people we are around quite a bit (like the brother-sister situation above), hearing a fire truck or ambulance (do I stop and pray for that situation as they are passing by?), watching the news and all of the sadness in the world.

But we are called to be different. We are called to be moved with compassion.

What is it?

When we look at compassion, it is having pity or a feeling of distress for others (Romans 9:15). It is to be moved with compassion, to yearn with compassion (this one is used with Jesus and the multitudes with people or healing individuals). It is a seat of emotion; deep emotions that can be touched (Philippians). Compassion goes DEEPER than a feeling. Sympathy is feeling sorry for someone..but compassion has action; it has a plan for helping.

Compassion not only wants the BEST for others, but it wants to find a solution for their MISERY. It may not be an easy “fix”, and some of the “fix” may be on them, but YOUR HANDS AND FEET should be moving right along with them.

Biblical Examples of Compassion

People may need compassion in several areas of their life…physically and spiritually. God’s Word gives us examples for us to look to in times just as these—-

Meeting Physical Needs: We see in scripture several examples of compassion meeting physical needs. Look at Jesus feeding the thousands (Mt. 15:32-39), Jesus with the leper (Mk 1:40-42), and Jesus and the demon possessed child (Mark 9:14-29). Look at Ruth not wanting to leave Naomi in Ruth 1:16-17 or even Boaz later on in that book letting Ruth glean in the fields (Ruth 2). Look at Joseph with Mary in Matthew 1:19 when he didn’t want her to suffer any disgrace..or how Elisha went to God in prayer in 2 Kings 4 with the death of the son.

Meeting Spiritual Needs: Look at the examples we have in parables regarding spiritual needs…the prodigal son in Luke 15:20 or the master with the servant in Matthew 18:21-35 (and even an example here of how the servant easily forgot compassion given to him). Look at the prayers given by Abraham in Genesis 18 when he was pleading with God for the righteous people in Sodom, or in Exodus 32 with Moses on behalf of the Israelites, or Nehemiah in Nehemiah 1 on behalf of the people (and himself) needing the mercy of God.

So…How do I obtain compassion?

Build up your EMPATHY. Romans 12:15 tells us “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” We have to have an emotional connection to those who are struggling. You need to BEAR ONE ANOTHER’s BURDENS (Galatians 6:2). Sometimes it can be difficult because you DON’T know exactly how someone else is feeling–every situation is different. Maybe before you approach the situation, make a list to reflect everything that a person can be going through in order to better understand or help….
PRAY before your speak. Sometimes, when we have to have those hard conversations, in order to soften our hearts so that we can see their heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Pray by yourself before you go. Pray with them before the conversation even starts.
Keep Ephesians 4:31-32 close to your heart. “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Verse 31 is of Satan..Verse 32 is of God.
Keep a humble heart. Helping someone isn’t for your glory. It is for God. Your motivation shouldn’t be for praise to promote selfishness. It isn’t to be seen like the Pharisees who wanted everyone to see their good works.
Perseverance: God’s compassion and faithfulness has endured through generations (Psalm 100:5; 103:8). A situation may not be easily “fixed”. It may be long term (i.e. caring for someone struggling with something regarding their health). Keep your eyes focused on the compassion God has given us as His people. Look to His example when you are discouraged.

The news knows that in order to get reviews, most people are drawn to the “bad.” Don’t let this callous your heart.. Have your eyes open looking and building relationships so that you can be used for HIS glory. Be compassionate. Think about what it would be like if that situation was turned on you..

Anchored to Him,

Leigh Ann