Sympathy, empathy, COMPASSION

This week I was blessed to spend time with a dear friend.  When I walked in, I could tell she was a bit upset.  Someone close to her had made a negative and fairly condescending remark about a couple in a news article regarding a very difficult issue and decision.  The commentator was quite condemning toward this family’s situation.  While a certain faction would’ve jumped to harsh disdain, my friend immediately went to a different place with the situation and said “my heart hurts for that couple.  If I’m honest I can understand what may have led to that decision.  They aren’t in an easy place.  They need prayer more than anything else.”

What a witness my dear friend is. Where some maybe would’ve had apathy, she had sympathy – being able to feel for the couple.  Where many would’ve had lack of understanding, she had empathy.  Where others had condemnation flowing toward the couple, she possessed compassion.  She looked at the issue through the eyes of the couple – she could feel what they may have felt in the dark moments…sadness, fear, worry, troubled… she saw their place of dark doubt.  And then she gave gifts from her heart…understanding and prayer.

It is said that “the individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference – he has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter. “  Sadly is seems more often the indifference overshadows the compassion. 

But why?

Why is it hard to acknowledge someone’s pain – “I can see you are hurting.  I’m sorry this happened to you.?” Why is it so hard to just listen? Why is it easier to sweep the pain/hurt under a rug, not acknowledge the issues? It won't go away but instead creates and enlarges a rift.

Indifference exists when one only looks through his eyes.  Indifference creates no one so blind as the man who refuses to listen.  Indifference exists in many a self-centered universe….not just exists but thrives.  Indifference is part of man’s inhumanity to man.  No allowances.  No consideration.  No sympathy. No empathy….

It hurts – not having compassion tears down instead of builds up.  Not having compassion doesn’t just allow poor behavior… it encourages it.

“Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.”

I carry hurts from indifference indicating apathy.  We each, I’m sure, can identify a time that lacked compassion and were wounded.  It such a blessing that  we are able turn our hearts and give ourselves to the ONE who does not dismiss compassion.  We may call GOD Love, we may call GOD Goodness – But the base name for God is compassion. We can experience HIS compassion through HIS direct intervention, through HIS Word, and through those HE places in our lives.

And in response…

We can be the conduit trough which HIS Compassion flows to others…. Or we can hold compassion in prayer and watch as HE meets needs beyond our doing or expectation.

Compassion brings us to a stop, and for a moment we rise above ourselves.

It is my prayer that you each may stand still and rise!

.James 5:11  You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Lamentations 3:32  but, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

Isaiah 49:13   For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.

Psalm 135:14   the Lord will vindicate his people, and have compassion on his servants.

Luke 7:13   And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”