Directing our lives along the path of daily understanding will give us the support we need to survive. Learn how to do this on a daily basis in the following article.
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16
Compassion is a word often used by members of God's people, but do we really understand the meaning and importance of this wonderful act?
As children of the Lord, we must understand that compassion includes the willingness and ability to put ourselves in the place of others. This commitment to selflessness brings us closer to the goals our Heavenly Father has for us. It means living with the conviction that our hearts will not be at peace when our brothers and sisters are suffering and in need.
To truly understand the suffering of others, we must stop and acknowledge their pain. True compassion is more than identifying suffering, it is a true act of helping. Jehovah's encouragement for us to act in accordance with His perfect plan.
"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord." James 5:14
God teaches us through His word and wisdom the importance of cultivating kindness and compassion so that we can be blessed with the promise of His eternal personality as Father.
Sometimes we may feel that we do not have or do not find in ourselves the spirit of compassion to which Jehovah calls us, but if Christ is in our lives, we can be sure that we have it. We just have to awaken it and use it.
God's healing word must flow through us to touch the hearts of our brethren, help the hungry and restore peace in their lives. There are many ways to help those most in need, but to get there, we must be determined and resolute.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36
If our brother is seriously ill, we can bring the message of Christ to him. Communication, empathy and connection with others are important at this time. An effective act of comforting the suffering of a helpless person is to pray for him and pray for him. The power of prayer restores calm and banishes negative thoughts that may arise during difficult times.
To survive and find the strength to face these challenges, we must remember all the storms we have overcome by the hand of the Lord. He never abandons us to our fate. Following Jesus' example, we must take the first step.
We may have questions about how we can serve our suffering brothers and sisters and how we can bring God's peace to their hearts. We must commit ourselves deeply and meditate on the compassion of the Lord, stimulating the desire to see others freed from their torments.
"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." Proverbs 15:13
When we pass on to a brother who has fallen into misfortune the spiritual nourishment that will keep him with confidence and faith to face his burdens, we know that the Most High is using us as instruments to reflect that compassion translated into his love for all his children.
It is essential to understand that true love is not only about receiving, but mainly about giving without selfishness or prejudice. We all have a family member, friend or neighbor who may be in need of the word of the Lord coming into his or her life. Let us take the wonderful initiative to act now on behalf of His glory. Compassion is a call to love our brothers and sisters and serve them generously with the same devotion that God shows us every day.
May our response be one of courage and powerful action, showing the love and mercy of our Heavenly Father in every act of mercy and compassion that we do.