“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (Romans 2:15 ESV)
Wikipedia provides this definition of empathy: “The capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position.” Look at the key words in the definition, “understand,” “feel what another person is experiencing,” a frame of reference,” “place oneself in another’s position.” A recent news broadcast on a local TV station carried a story that stated that people are showing less empathy to others. Many reasons can account for this behavioral anomaly, called such by yours truly because we as Christians should be able to show empathy to one another and, as a matter of fact, we should see that empathy elevated to the point of producing good deeds, actions to help someone else, especially the very person to whom you are showing empathy. The reasons that block empathy include selfishness, social isolation, stuck on one’s own problems, a succession of thoughts that separate self from others’ difficulties, distress, pain, or predicaments.
Recovering from a major surgery this week caused me to analyze my own empathy aptitude. Three things came to mind. First, I committed to being more sensitive to others who were going through difficult times, minor or major. Second, I took the words of a song that say, “If I never had a problem, how would I know that My God could solve a problem,” took the words to a deeper revelation and concluded that my pain and my problems served an additional purpose. They, my pain. and my problems, blessed me with a bludgeoning, expanded, and better capacity to show sincere empathy to others. Third, I thought about the empathy shown by Jesus as He endured beatings, whippings, a piercing in the side, carrying His own heavy cross in spite of His physical suffering, the nails in His hands and His feet, and mush more. Jesus’ empathy turned to action; the demonstration of the greatest love that one could show as He died for our sins, even while we were still sinners, and He gave us a way to be reconciled with God; a way to be saved; a way to follow as His disciples. Yes, by being more empathetic with others. I think we can all be better, even the best of us. Enjoy worship today and work on your empathy. Smile! Let’s act opposite of what the news reporter stated. Bless others! Be blessed!
“So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].” (Colossians 3:12-14 The Amplified Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King