Becoming People Of Compassion

What would our world look like if we all purposed to be people of compassion?

As a people, we have become filled with greed, envy, and the need to acquire things. And often times, this is done by any means necessary.

Kindness is rare, and judgement is prominent among everyone.  However, as gloomy as this sounds; there is HOPE.

“And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.” ~ Psalm 39:7 (NLT)

 

Admitting There’s A Problem

Change starts by first admitting there’s a problem. Ask yourself, am I a compassionate person? Let me correct that. Ask yourself; would I be PERCEIVED as being compassionate?

Many of us think we are compassionate people. I would even like to think I am a kind person. But when I took the 30-Day Kindness Challenge, I realized as much as I thought I was kind, I wasn’t PERCEIVED as being kind by others. And that needed to change!

On a side note, the 30-day kindness challenge helped me start the process to change. Consider taking the challenge yourself. Okay back to the point…

Over the last few weeks, I have been teaching a series on “Seeing Each Other Finished In Christ.” And one of the scriptures that I kept mediating on was John 7:24, wen Jesus tells us to look beneath the surface.

“Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.” ~ John 7:24 (NLT)

If we are honest, how many of us purpose to look beneath the surface before we judge one’s character, or behavior?

I’m not ashamed to admit that I haven’t always done that. However, since meditating on that scripture, not only has it convicted my heart; it has opened my eyes to see how many times we miss the mark on being compassionate people.

Sure we rise to the occasion when something big happens. But what if we could practice being compassionate all the time?

The Solution To Compassion

The truth is, compassion is birthed from kindness. Therefore, we should choose to always be kind because people are fighting battles, we know nothing about. And when we get beneath the surface, we have the opportunity to get to root.

Be kind because everyone you meet is fighting battles you know nothing about. Click To Tweet

For instance, let’s say someone on your job is talking harshly towards you and has an attitude. Instead of going off and telling them what they shouldn’t be doing, a better approach could be:

Hey, what’s going on? You aren’t normally snippy with me, is everything ok?

Well actually, no, my husband and I got into a huge argument right before I left for work.

Oh, I’m sorry do you want to talk about it?

You see, now we can get to the root, instead of assuming they are a mean-spirited person. When the truth is, there are some problems at home.

By taking the time to get beneath the surface it sheds some light as to why they are behaving the way they are. And now, you can pray more fervently for your co-worker and their marriage.

When we choose to be kind despite what has been done, said, or even what offends us, we may discover the why to one’s behavior. People don’t care about what we know until they know how much we care.

Bottom line, we have to become quicker at being compassionate people instead of being so quick to tell people what they should be doing (or how they should be acting).

People don’t care about what you know, until they know how much you care.

Compassion Starts With You

We can’t make everyone display such compassion. However, as a believer in Christ, we can decide to have it start with us.

I love how The Message Bible words it; Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. 30 Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. 31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. ~ Ephesians 4:29-32:

WOW! If every believer did this what would our church’s look like? What would our world look like?

Compassion in its best form is displaying kindness by any means necessary. And at the end of the day it doesn’t matter the kind of person you think you are; it’s how you are perceived by others.

Compassion in its best form is displaying kindness by any means necessary. Click To Tweet

So, I ask you: are you perceived as being compassionate?

If not, don’t let that discourage you. You can change that perception starting right now by choosing to BE KIND, and looking beneath the surface.

“And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted),
forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.”
~ Ephesians 4:32 (AMPC)

This post has been shared on Salt and Light;  Grace and Truth a weekly Christian link up.

~ Timberley Gray