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Presented by Lisa Bishop
We are examining five things that can squash our compassion for others. Let’s call them, “compassion killers.” I know, not exactly the most compelling title, but you get the point. We know compassion is a character of Jesus you and I are called to emulate, yet it can sometimes be difficult to communicate.
Let’s start out by getting a baseline understanding of compassion. Compassion is being so moved emotionally and internally when we see someone experiencing pain or suffering, that we are compelled to act outwardly in a way that comes alongside and shows care. Compassion is accompanied by a desire to help alleviate a person’s distress in some way.
What can stifle the beautiful gift of compassion in our hearts? The fact that we at times can have a hard time grasping and receiving the compassion that has been shown to us by Jesus.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him (Psalm 103:13).
Growing up, many of us may not have experienced a compassionate earthly father, so trying to grasp and take in the fact that God your heavenly Father longs to show you compassion can be hard.
The Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion (Isaiah 30:18).
As a follower of Jesus, the Lord has compassion on you. If you find it difficult to receive and experience the compassion of God, it will be very difficult for you to genuinely overflow it to others.
Think about how many times you have belittled yourself, been self-critical, or berated yourself for a shortcoming or a mistake. Or I wonder how many times you have gone through a difficult time and rather than receiving the merciful voice of compassion from God, you find your self-talk saying, “just get over it.”
When we have a “suck it up” attitude rather than settling into the loving and grace-filled heart of Jesus, our hearts can grow numb and calloused and lack the capacity for compassion.
If you are struggling to feel the compassion of Jesus towards you, ask him to help you. Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight any faulty thinking about God, yourself, or false beliefs about your worth and identity in him. Wherever it is, the Lord will surely show you because he longs to be gracious to you. And when you experience compassion to greater degrees, you will be compelled to have compassion toward others.