Are You Moved with Compassion?

By Andrea Merrell

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,

slow to anger and great in mercy.

Psalm 145:8

 

While I’ve never been the victim of an abusive marriage, painful divorce, or loss of a child, I have friends and family members who have—many of which have experienced the worst of the worst. Most of them have moved on past the grief and pain, but a few remain in a quagmire of hopelessness.

Because I haven’t been there/done that, I cannot fully relate to their emotional distress. So, what is my responsibility toward them?

First and foremost is prayer. Even though I don’t understand, God knows every hurt. Every fear. Every betrayal. Every painful memory. And most importantly, He is the healer.

People have different responses to the pain of others. These are the most common:

• Pity—the act of feeling sorry for someone.
• Apathy—a lack of interest or concern.
• Empathy—the ability to put yourself in someone’s shoes and share their feelings.
• Compassion—a feeling of kindness that gives a strong desire to alleviate suffering.

The Bible tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion when he saw others in need. This is one of the ways we are to become more Christlike.

Along with prayer, there are many ways to show compassion. We can be a listening ear. A shoulder to cry on. A safe place for others to vent or simply share their heart. We can do whatever we can to meet a physical or financial need. Most of all, we can be being a faithful and trustworthy friend.

Let’s face it, we all need help from time to time. 

Apply the Golden Rule, and allow yourself to be moved with compassion.

(Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net and usamedeniz.)

TWEETABLE 

When others are hurting, are you apathetic or moved with compassion? via@AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

Dealing with a Critical Spirit

 By Andrea Merrell

Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize

their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment.

That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. 

Matthew 7:1 MSG

 

They say “the Devil is in the details.” Experts do not agree as to who first made this statement, but there is much truth to be gained from it.

Since mistakes are commonly made in the smallest details of a project—especially by overlooking or underestimating them—we need to be cautious and alert, using a critical eye to eliminate these mistakes. Notice I said critical eye and not critical spirit.

When we’ve been gifted with discernment and an eye for detail, it’s very easy to slip over into criticism. There’s a fine line between the two, and it’s important for us to know and understand the difference.

Pastor and author Chad Norris explains it like this:

It is when we develop a critical spirit that we are actually playing the role of judge in people’s lives. We were never called to judge one another. I want my airline pilot to have a critical eye at all times. I want my surgeon to have a critical eye as he operates on my body while using the competency he or she has garnered through hard work and practice. A critical eye is not a critical spirit. A critical spirit says, “I know better than you. I am better than you. I see things more clearly than you do, and when you begin to think like me, you will be correct."

The Bible tells us not to think we are better than we really are. Instead, we are to esteem others, preferring them above ourselves. When we judge and condemn others because they don’t measure up to our standards or expectations, the law of sowing and reaping will cause those things to come back to our doorstep. As Matthew says, that critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. 

If you’re dealing with a critical spirit, ask God to give you a heart of compassion. Look for the best in others, and they will look for the best in you.

(Photo courtesy of Blogpiks.com and Stuart Miles.)

TWEETABLE 

Are you operating with a critical eye or a critical spirit? How do you determine the difference? via @AndreaMerrell (Click to tweet.)

To read in browser or leave a comment, click here.

 

 

Compassion Trumps Criticism

By Andrea Merrell

Don't criticize and speak evil about each other, 

dear brothers. James 4:11 TLB

On a scale of one to ten, how critical are you? If you’re like me, some days you do well, while other days you fail miserably.

Being critical and finding fault is part of our carnal nature … the “old man.” If we don’t deal with it on a daily basis it stops up the love of God that has been “shed abroad” (poured out in abundance) in our heart, and stifles the compassion we need in dealing with others. It also causes us to lose our sense of God’s peace and presence.

Criticism comes easy; it’s a reaction, not an action. The action comes when we chose to walk in obedience to God’s Word. In this scenario, that means extending grace to others, accepting and embracing our differences, and realizing that everyone else does not always see, hear, feel, think, speak, or act exactly as we do.

When we fail to get a handle on criticism, it can lead to judging, gossiping, and backbiting. The Bible calls it speaking evil of another. The Message puts it this way: Don't bad-mouth each other, friends.

If a critical spirit is following you around, it’s time to take action. This is a good place to apply the Golden Rule and to be moved with compassion toward others. Ask God for help and make the decision to walk in love.

Remember … compassion trumps criticism.

(Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalImages.net/Stuart Miles/Iamnee.)

TWEETABLE

Compassion always trumps criticism. Use the Golden Rule. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)

To read in browser, click here.