Submitted
by David Miller
The term compassion
has its linguistic roots in the Latin terms com (with) and pati
(suffering). In essence, compassion means suffering with or sharing in the
suffering of someone else. Practically
speaking, we have compassion when we set aside indifference and connect with
those who are in pain. In a unique way, this seems to be a first step toward
healing. When Jesus saw the blind men,
for example, He “had compassion on them and touched their eyes.
Immediately they received their sight and followed him” (Matthew 20:34). In addition, when Jesus saw
groups yearning for His teaching, “He had compassion on them and healed their
sick” (Matthew 14:14). Christ
noted the confusion of the people in the crowd following him, and “had compassion on
them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
All these examples of
Christ’s compassion have two things in common. First, Jesus notices
the people around him. This tells us that compassion is only possible when we
are attuned to others. If we’re absorbed in our own feelings, problems, worries
and desires, we will overlook the needs of those God puts in our path and
ignore the opportunity to help them.
Second, Jesus responds
to people, instead of reacting to them. He listens to the ten lepers rather
than being irritated that they’re interrupting His conversation (Luke
17:12-19). We see in Matthew 9:20. He takes time to speak with the woman who
touches the hem of His garment, instead of simply chastising her for lacking
appropriate boundaries. Jesus practiced
compassion with everyone He had contact with.
Like anything else, we
get better at compassion when we practice. Here are three basic steps:
1. Build up your empathy.
Spend five minutes a day
practicing putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Choose a news report, a
neighbor or a member of your own family and really contemplate what it feels
like to be that person. Don’t shy away as soon as you think, “That must be
awful!” Delve deep into what it’s like to suffer in that way. This exercise can
help you learn to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who
mourn” (Romans 12:15).
2. Learn to pause before speaking.
Scripture tells us, “People look at
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel
16:7). To be compassionate toward others, we need to allow time
for the Holy Spirit to override our tendency to judge. A simple prayer like,
“Holy Spirit, guide my heart,” often provides enough space (and guidance!) to
help us see why people are behaving the way they are.
3. Recognize the barriers to compassion.
It’s impossible to be
annoyed and compassionate at the same time. Frustration, suspicion, irritation,
bitterness, dislike and anger are all signs that we may be looking at others
without compassion. We can pray to the Father to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” that rules in our
hearts (Ephesians 4:31).
Ask God to help you “be kind and
tenderhearted” (Ephesians 4:32). Begin
this holiday season to cultivate a spirit of compassion. Allow yourself to “live” Christ-like through
your compassion.
