Compassionate Hearts

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4: 29-32

One of my favorite quotes (and I can't ever remember who said it) is "Compassion for other people comes when you're able to look at them the way God looks at you." I think that is so profound, especially when I take into consideration how slimy I am and how much God loves me anyway.... We all know ourselves better than anyone else, we know our own thoughts and fears and frustrations and true feelings about those topics we don't discuss with other people because what would they say if they knew how we really felt, right?

And in the midst of all the glaring imperfections that we know we have in ourselves and are so quick to point out in others, God loves us completely and perfectly, and that is in fact very difficult to comprehend sometimes. He knows us, and still He loves us.

Here's what I know: I am God's beloved daughter, and "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Period. (Psalms 139:14) My thoughts and words and actions may not clearly reflect this sometimes, but yet this truth remains. It's perplexing and confounding and incomprehensible and humbling and INCONCEIVABLE!! Makes no natural sense that the unlovely is still lovable... But doesn't He do that over and over? Use the foolish things to shame the wise?

When I have been wronged, my first self-preserving instinct is to lash out. To protect myself. To strike back. To hurt the way I've been hurt.

This week when I had just such an opportunity to do so, because I was SO justified of course, a little melody played in my head. "The battle's not mine, I give it to You, Lord it's thine." I don't know why THAT song exactly. I wouldn't say I was in the midst of a hugely significant battle. (Except that's what the enemy does - he minimizes the little things that have the potential to collectively create a huge war, and it's usually with a fellow believer!)

Hearing that snippet from a simple song was in an instant humbling. No, biting my tongue in that ONE instance does not cancel out the other billion times that I've just let it rip, but it did make me pause for a little "compassion refuel".

The "unwholesome talk" that was about to come out of my mouth was in no way edifying to the body of Christ, nor exemplary of the unmeasured grace that has been extended to ME in my lifetime. It was neither kind nor compassionate.

Well then what does true kindness and compassion look like??

Having these traits does NOT mean that you are a "Polly Anna" or a pushover or a people-pleaser. And more importantly, you are NOT weak. There's nothing false or disingenuous or WIMPY about these humbling qualities that can move you to do great things, like encourage, edify, or FORGIVE.

Kindness and compassion means choosing not to participate in a negative conversation when you have an equal opportunity to build someone up instead.

Sometimes it's saying "yes" when you really want to say "no" but often it's just saying nothing at all.

Listening and not "fixing", staying when you could be running, or laughing instead of retaliating.

The eyes of a compassionate person are not rolling in frustration, squinting in confusion, flashing with anger, or glazed over in boredom. They are bright with the opportunity to connect, fully engaged with genuine interest, glowing with His light, and a calm reflection of the peace that lies within.

Compassion means "loving empathy." It's understanding HOW to love because YOU have been so loved.

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2: 1-5


Lord, give me compassion, so that I may be an extension of your love, reaching far and deep.