Sometimes they’ve even come to you in their pain because they don’t know who else to turn to, but instead of offering a listening ear, you ignore them and treat them as if they do not matter.
Maybe, you’re the cause of their distress, but because you cannot see or refuse to understand why they’re upset, you choose to behave as though the problem does not exist, and, instead of the comfort and reassurance that the one you love needs, you turn away heartless.
Too often this is the scene in the home – husband and wife, parent and child, brother and sister. Your loved ones are crying out in emotional distress but unfortunately you are not affected and you remain unmoved by their tears and the very real hurt they’re experiencing.
Too often this is the scene in the home – husband and wife, parent and child, brother and sister. Your loved ones are crying out in emotional distress but unfortunately you are not affected and you remain unmoved by their tears and the very real hurt they’re experiencing.
You have developed a heart of stone, corrupted by your own selfish, self-centred and self absorbed conceit. This indicates that there is, in you, neither care nor compassion. What you are in fact doing is closing your heart against that person who you claim to love.
Hear what the Word of God says about this in 1 John 3:16-17 (MSG):
“This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.”
If this is you, recognize that the way you have chosen to act has made God’s love disappear; you are not demonstrating the love of God by your actions. You must ask God to fill you with His love for His children; ask God for a heart of compassion.
Hear what the Word of God says about this in 1 John 3:16-17 (MSG):
“This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear.”
If this is you, recognize that the way you have chosen to act has made God’s love disappear; you are not demonstrating the love of God by your actions. You must ask God to fill you with His love for His children; ask God for a heart of compassion.
A heart of compassion has deep empathy for others.
A heart of compassion has a strong desire to relieve the hurt.
A heart of compassion is selfless.
A heart of compassion listens with care.
A heart of compassion comforts and reassures.
A heart of compassion is present and does not turn away.
A heart of compassion pays attention.
A heart of compassion brings healing.
A heart of compassion is patient, kind, humble and gentle.
A heart of compassion is a heart of love.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;” Colossians 3:12 (NASB)
Amen †
A Heart of Compassion ©2013 Shelley Johnson 25-Jul-13
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