Compassion

Our God is full of compassion.

Psalm 116:5

Compassion. Here’s a word that we don’t hear much anymore. It’s a quality that God is growing in me, and I must say that it is often a hard, painful process. It typically involves a difficult season for myself or someone I love.

Here are a few questions I’ve been asking:

What is compassion? Webster’s Dictionary defines compassion as a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Why do I need compassion? I need to have compassion because I want to be like Christ, and he was compassionate. In Matthew 9:36, he had compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless. In Matthew 20:34, Jesus had compassion…and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

How does God show compassion to me? His book, the Bible, is God’s story of compassion toward me...the story of my lost-ness and desperation, of his redeeming love and forgiveness. Within that story are several jewels that move me to tears:

And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer (Judges 10:16).

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them (Isaiah 63:9).

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul (Psalm 94:19).

The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion (Isaiah 30:18).

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Psalm 103:13).

Lord, make me tenderhearted like you. Help me to see the distress of others and to truly care. Call me to action in easing their suffering. May I be the hands and feet of Jesus to them.

Jill Hardin