According to The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, "compassion" literally means "to suffer together." Researchers define it as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.
In the biblical sense, the Hebrew and Greek definition of "compassion" is not that different. It means "to have mercy, to feel sympathy and to have pity." God, according to the Bible, is a compassionate, gracious, patient, and loving God (Psalm 86:15).
Some say that compassion is in short supply today. They also say this world is so corrupt and lost that we've forgotten what compassion looks and feels like. There are times, I must admit, this would certainly appear to be the case.
We are all born with compassion, though some are not real sure about when and how to use it. So there it sits, under-utilized and under-appreciated and, in some cases, it may even be unrecognized when it is shown.
If we are unfamiliar with, or don't understand something, we seek instruction and guidance on it. We need someone to teach or model it for us. And what better teacher than the designer of the human heart, mind, and soul than God Himself!
God is the ultimate representation of compassion. All His words and actions are given freely to us in the Bible. You might call it God's "how-to" book on compassion. If anyone needs to be schooled on the subject you couldn't find a better textbook! (1 John 4:16)
Here's a small sample of what you will find there: God is a compassionate father who loves His children (Psalm 103:13–17); He sees our suffering and takes pity on us, but He is also kind and forgiving on us, and moves on these as He sees fit (Romans 9:14–16).
Like any parent, God may become angry with us, His children. But, He will not stay angry with us forever. Because He loves us so, God will "will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:18–19).
Finally, God's greatest act of compassion and love for us was to provide an atoning sacrifice for our guilt. He did this by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1–10). Here lies the quintessence of compassion itself.
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) said, "I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it." He understood that compassion is of no use unless it is put into action. We, too, must awaken dormant compassion and press it into service. Our world needs it now more than ever!
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13; Galatians 6:2; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 3:17
Prayer: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, amen. - Psalm 103:2-4 (ESV)
May God bless you,
Lainey
We are all born with compassion, though some are not real sure about when and how to use it. So there it sits, under-utilized and under-appreciated and, in some cases, it may even be unrecognized when it is shown.
If we are unfamiliar with, or don't understand something, we seek instruction and guidance on it. We need someone to teach or model it for us. And what better teacher than the designer of the human heart, mind, and soul than God Himself!
God is the ultimate representation of compassion. All His words and actions are given freely to us in the Bible. You might call it God's "how-to" book on compassion. If anyone needs to be schooled on the subject you couldn't find a better textbook! (1 John 4:16)
Here's a small sample of what you will find there: God is a compassionate father who loves His children (Psalm 103:13–17); He sees our suffering and takes pity on us, but He is also kind and forgiving on us, and moves on these as He sees fit (Romans 9:14–16).
Like any parent, God may become angry with us, His children. But, He will not stay angry with us forever. Because He loves us so, God will "will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:18–19).
Finally, God's greatest act of compassion and love for us was to provide an atoning sacrifice for our guilt. He did this by sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1–10). Here lies the quintessence of compassion itself.
Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) said, "I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it." He understood that compassion is of no use unless it is put into action. We, too, must awaken dormant compassion and press it into service. Our world needs it now more than ever!
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12-13; Galatians 6:2; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 3:17
Prayer: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, amen. - Psalm 103:2-4 (ESV)
May God bless you,
Lainey
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