The compassion of God is the manifestation of his love, which is willing to take care of people in their profound misery. Two passages from the word of God touchingly evoke this thought. In the book of Judges, it is written: The soul of the Lord “was grieved over the misery of Israel” (10:16), and in the book of Psalms: Which, “in our low state, remembered of us, for his goodness endures forever” (136: 23).
In the Bible, we find a close relationship between mercy and tender compassion, which is alluded to with various Hebrew and Greek voices. One of them is the Hebrew verb a · jam, which is usually translated “show mercy” and “have mercy.” According to a specific biblical dictionary, “it expresses a deep and tender feeling of compassion, like the one that is aroused given the weakness or suffering of those who are dear to us or who need our help.” This Hebrew verb, which Jehovah applies to himself, is related to the term for “womb” and denotes “maternal compassion” (Exodus 33:19; Jeremiah 33:26). *
WHAT IS THE BIBLE’S DEFINITION OF COMPASSION?
The Bible teaches us what the compassion of God is, comparing it with the feelings of a woman towards her baby. In Isaiah 49:15, we read: “Can a mother forget her infant at the breast, lest she pities [ran · jam] the child of her womb? Although she forgets, I will never forget you” (Nueva Reina-Valera). This moving description highlights the depth of Jehovah’s compassion for his people. How?
It is hard to believe that a woman misses feeding and caring for her nursing child, who is helpless and requires her love and attention day and night. But sadly, it is not uncommon to hear of mothers failing to do their homework, especially in these “critical times” when “natural affection” is lacking (2 Timothy 3: 1, 3). Instead, Jehovah says, “I will never forget you.” The tender compassion he feels for his servants never fails and is infinitely more reliable than the most endearing affection imaginable: the one that the mother usually has towards her little one. No wonder a commentator pointed out that in Isaiah 49:15, we find “one of the most intense expressions of God’s love – perhaps the greatest – in the entire Old Testament.”
WHY IS COMPASSION SO IMPORTANT?
Practically all religions, from Christianity to Buddhism, emphasize the importance of developing compassion. But why is empathy so important at all?
Here is a small example. It had undoubtedly happened to you before that you were annoyed with someone and only understood afterward why the person concerned behaved in this way. Did you notice that the anger was gone from the moment you realized why the other had acted?
For example, someone in the morning may have looked at them grumpily in the office, and they found the rude. Later, at midday gossip, they found out that the latter had a violent marriage dispute at night. And immediately, you have a completely different attitude to the incident in the morning. They are no longer angry that he greeted them grumpily; on the contrary, they are now understanding. Why is that? – Because you can now empathize with him.
Through the ability to empathize (= compassion), the world is no longer alien to us. We can suddenly understand them. And by understanding, we no longer feel separated, on the contrary, even as part of this world.
With compassion, we gain divine control over this world because of what we feel we can change. Just as quantum physics teaches that every spectator influences what is happening, we leave an impact through our feelings. We participate in the world through our compassion.
Wherever we empathize or empathize, our understanding of what is there grows. But knowledge is a divine principle, which helps us to take a higher view of things. So, through compassion, we get more into our divine power.
Pity
Sometimes, despite compassion, we don’t want to understand things. This happens mainly when we don’t want to change things emotionally because of our resonances because too much of our unsaved things are touched. In such a case, compassion then becomes pity. We prefer to suffer with it instead of changing or even dissolving it through our feelings.
The feeling is movement, and feelings are flowing, opinions are energy in motion.
Suffering is standing still. Pain is when feelings are suppressed and blocked when they are no longer allowed to flow.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF COMPASSION?
Happiness has recently received a significantly higher relevance in the field of science, thus ceasing to be just a matter of common sense. This situation has all the connection because although more and more, more people are awake to the world that science does not explain, something that is scientifically proven remains more credible.
This is what happens with happiness and with Positive Psychology that has focused on studying the optimal functioning of people, groups, and institutions. Martin Seligman, considered the father of Positive Psychology, began by developing the theory of Authentic Happiness in which he highlighted three key elements that contribute to happiness:
– Positive Emotions (considered as the vital element for a pleasant life, for example, feelings of pleasure, comfort, and ecstasy);
– Involvement (related to the flow that manifests itself through the loss of sense of self and the duration of an absorbing activity);
– Meaning (feeling of belonging and purpose in life).
It is in this last construct of happiness – the meaning – which the question of the purpose of life arises, that is, what things we do regularly that give meaning and meaning to our experience and what impact this has on the world.
Even though nowadays, the number of people who want to find out what their purpose in life and the most appropriate way for themselves and their lives to put it into practice is increasing, few realize the influence and impact on other people’s lives. However, the truth is that everyone, without exception, throughout life, in one way or another, we end up contributing, even a little bit, to improve the experience of a person, whoever they may be. For example, think of the people you have met throughout your life, select two or three and imagine what your life would be like today without them or without their passing through your life. What would be different about you and your life? Many things indeed, although some more impactful and relevant than others. So, what happens to you about the people you come across is the same. Note that even if you do nothing with a direct impact on people, the fact that you are happy, fulfilled, motivated and aware of the importance of these emotions in your life is, inevitably, contaminating your environment.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, honorable, and good, to make a difference to show that we live and that we live well”. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Taking this into account, the purpose of life is something that is necessarily related to the impact you want to leave on the world, even when you are no longer here. That is, with the level of compassion and responsibility that you feel towards what life is for you and how you can contribute to it.
We all have one or more purposes, in each moment of life, and you are no exception because the meaning of life represents that which is the most crucial message or gift you want to leave to the world, putting your full potential into action.
However, for this to happen, it is necessary first to find out what your life purpose is, and this implies, in an initial phase, enormous compassion for yourself. To have compassion is to remain in a positive emotional state, while trying to understand what is happening, focusing on solutions to resolve the situation. And then, great compassion for others. Because, as we have seen everything we do, in one way or another, it ends up influencing those around us and even the world in general. So, in this sense, your life purpose is much more than having a dream job, it is to live inspired, with compassion, to be useful and more than to “suffer with” (with yourself or with others) is to promote identification solutions and act on them, putting them into practice.
Like? Sharing with other people who are currently experiencing the same or similar situations to which they have already passed and overcome all the learning, knowledge, and strategies they acquired with this situation, helping them to identify the ideal solutions so that they too can overcome them. This is the very essence of living the purpose of life with compassion.
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPASSION?
When others keep a safe distance from suffering, a compassionate person acts. There are numerous examples of sympathetic characters in the Bible, empathizing, and showing mercy for others. For example:
Ruth – Ruth loved her mother-in-law, Naomi, and had compassion for her. Naomi’s husband and sons had died. In the act of selfless kindness, Ruth traveled with Naomi back to Bethlehem and settled there with her.
If you’ve ever heard someone called “ruthless,” it means that person is heartless or without compassion. The biblical Ruth wasn’t ruthless. Instead, she is a beautiful example of tenderness, caring, and Biblical compassion.
Boaz – In Ruth’s story, Boaz also proved to be a compassionate Bible character. He instructed the workers in his field to leave grain for Ruth to pick up. This provided Ruth would like the food she needed to survive. This is an example of compassion for the needy.
The widow of Zarephath – In 1 King, we learn the story of Elijah and an unnamed widow. Even though the widow was in great need of herself, she prepared a meal for Elijah. The widow’s food supply was extended—a miracle from God.
Joseph – After being sold into slavery and then rising to power in Egypt, Joseph showed compassion to his brothers when they came to Egypt looking for food. This makes Joseph one of the greatest stories of compassion in the Bible.
Dorcas – In Acts, a woman is introduced as one known for her care of widows and clothing the poor. She was much loved in Joppa. When she became very ill and died, the townspeople called for Peter. He took Dorcas by the hand and brought her back from the dead. What a beautiful example Dorcas is to us today. She met the needs of those around her, and when she was gone, her absence left a void.
WHY IS COMPASSION A STRENGTH?
Compassion opens our hearts and makes us happier. Empathy is our ability to understand the suffering of others; this emotion responds to the desire to relieve and alleviate the sadness of the people around us. The concept of compassion is more straightforward, but at the same time, more intense than empathy, it invites us to want to help and reduce the suffering of others.
When we study the theme of the Lord’s compassion, we find, in my opinion, a complete revelation of the Lord’s will to heal the sick. During His earthly ministry, Jesus was always moved with compassion and healed “all who needed to be healed.” And it is this same Jesus who, after having said: “It is advantageous for you to go away,” is now seated at the right hand of God, to be for us “a merciful (compassionate) high priest and faithful.” And the bible says, “The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and kind. The Lord is good to all, and His mercies extend to all his works” (Psalm 145: 8-9).
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT COMPASSION TOWARDS OTHERS?
But be friendly to one another, warm and forgiving one another, just as God forgave you in Christ. Ephesians 4:32
So now attract, as the chosen ones of God, saints, and loved ones, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience; Colossians 3:12
Carrying one another’s burden, you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6: 2
Anything you want people to do to you, you do them too. That is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12
But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, kindness, faith, meekness, goodness. The law is not against such. Galatians 5: 22-23
Then Jesus answered and said, it was a man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among the murderers; they took him off and hit him and went away, leaving him half dead. But it came about that a priest went down the same street, and when he saw him, he passed. Likewise, a Levite; when he came to the site and saw him, he gave. But a Samaritan traveled and arrived there, and when he saw him, he wailed, went to him, bandaged his wounds and poured oil and wine into it, and lifted him on his animal and led him to the inn and looked after him. The next day he traveled and pulled out two pennies and gave them to the landlord and said to him: Be cared for; and if you do anything more, I will pay you when I come back Luke 10: 30-35
And when he saw the people, he wailed, for they were languished and scattered like sheep who have no shepherd. Then he said to his disciples: The harvest is great, but few are the workers. Therefore ask the LORD of the harvest to send workers into his harvest. Matthew 9: 36-38
1 Thessalonians 5: 11-14 therefore admonish one another and build one another, as you do. We ask you, dear brothers that you recognize those who work on you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you; they prefer the more for their work and be peaceful with them. But we advise you, dear brothers, admonish the naughty, comfort the faint-hearted, bear the weak, and be patient towards everyone.
1 Peter 3: 8 finally, all of you are like-minded, compassionate, brotherly, merciful, and friendly.
And serve one another, each with the gift that he has received, as the good stewards of the various graces of God: 1 Peter 4:10
And the word of the LORD came to Zechariah, and said, So said the LORD of hosts: Judge right, and everyone show goodness and mercy to his brother; and do not wrong the widows, strangers and poor; and don’t think anything terrible against his brother in his heart! Zechariah 7: 8-10
Because which is more significant: who sits at the table or who serves there? So isn’t it that he sits at the table! But I am like a servant among you. Luke 22:27
Blessed are the peacemakers; because they will be called God’s children. Matthew 5: 9
THE COMPASSION OF GOD TO ALL
God is compassionate. He sympathizes with the suffering of his people. He sees our anguish and takes pity on us. However, his compassion is more than mere compassion and understanding. God’s compassion is related to His mercy, kindness, patience, grace, forgiveness, and love. Some of these attributes are so related and intertwined that establishing clear boundaries between them is a challenging task. God’s compassion prompts you to act. He is not a helpless observer, but the almighty sovereign of the universe (Romans 9: 14-16). God’s compassion for our state of perdition and misery led him not only to feel our pain; but also to provide a sacrifice because of us; this he did by sending his Son to die for our sins (Romans 5: 8; Ephesians 2: 1-10 ).
God, compassion is evident in his treatment of his nation. At the end of the 16th century BCE millions of Israelites lived under the yoke of the Egyptians, who tyrannized them “bittering their lives with hard slavery in clay and brick mortar works” ( Exodus 1:11, 14 ). In their tribulations, they implored the help of the God of tender compassion. How did he respond?
God continued to take pity on the Israelites, who, after settling in the Promised Land, was often unfaithful to him. When they suffered the consequences, they reconsidered and cried out to God. Repeatedly he released them “because he had compassion for his people and their dwelling” (2 Chronicles 36:15; Judges 2: 11-16).
10 Let us reflect on what happened in Jephthah’s time. Since the Israelites had given themselves up to the worship of false deities, the Almighty allowed them to suffer the oppression of the Ammonites for eighteen years. But as the Bible indicates, they finally repented: “They began to remove the foreign gods from among themselves and to serve Jehovah, so that his soul became impatient because of the misery of Israel” (Judges 10: 6- 16) *. They had shown true repentance, and the God of tender compassion could no longer bear to see them suffer, so he empowered Jephthah to free them from their enemies ( Judges 11: 30-33 ).
Today, our loving God shows the same concern for each one of us. We are sure that he is aware of all our suffering. Indeed, the psalmist David wrote: “Jehovah’s eyes are on the righteous, and his ears are on his cry for help. Jehovah is near to those who are broken in heart; and save those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:15, 18). According to a biblical scholar, these words describe those who “are characterized by broken heart and contrition of spirit, that is, by the humiliation they feel due to sin, and by the lack of vainglory; they are considered insignificant and do not trust their own merits.” Perhaps they believe that the Highest is very far from them and that they are so little that they are not worthy of their attention. But it’s not like that. David’s words guarantee us that our compassionate Maker does not abandon those who “consider themselves insignificant”; He knows that in such circumstances, we need him more than ever, and he is close to us.
EXAMPLES OF COMPASSION
Receiving Compassion
In our session, we did a meditation about receiving care. Along with many other women, I tend to be the one who does the caring, instead of being the recipient of care.
Self-Compassion
A friend of mine, who was diagnosed with MS as a young woman, always spoke of what she called extreme self-care. Over the years, I have watched her practice this religiously. It has allowed her to thrive and become an internationally loved author and speaker.
Extending Compassion
Extending care is the love and compassion we feel for those we know, and even for those, we do not know. Approaching the world with a feeling of kindness is about alleviating the suffering of all millions of Israelites lived under the yoke of the Egyptians, who tyrannized them “bittering their lives with hard slavery in clay and brick mortar works” ( Exodus 1:11, 14). In their tribulations, they implored the help of the God of tender compassion. How did he respond?
God continued to take pity on the Israelites, who, after settling in the Promised Land, was often unfaithful to him. When they suffered the consequences, they reconsidered and cried out to God. Repeatedly he released them “because he had compassion for his people and their dwelling” (2 Chronicles 36:15; Judges 2: 11-16).
10 Let us reflect on what happened in Jephthah’s time. Since the Israelites had given themselves up to the worship of false deities, the Almighty allowed them to suffer the oppression of the Ammonites for eighteen years. But as the Bible indicates, they finally repented: “They began to remove the foreign gods from among themselves and to serve Jehovah, so that his soul became impatient because of the misery of Israel” (Judges 10: 6- 16) *. They had shown true repentance, and the God of tender compassion could no longer bear to see them suffer, so he empowered Jephthah to free them from their enemies ( Judges 11: 30-33 ).
Today, our loving God shows the same concern for each one of us. We are sure that he is aware of all our suffering. Indeed, the psalmist David wrote: “Jehovah’s eyes are on the righteous, and his ears are on his cry for help. Jehovah is near to those who are broken in heart; and save those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:15, 18). According to a biblical scholar, these words describe those who “are characterized by broken heart and contrition of spirit, that is, by the humiliation they feel due to sin, and by the lack of vainglory; they are considered insignificant and do not trust their own merits.” Perhaps they believe that the Highest is very far from them and that they are so little that they are not worthy of their attention. But it’s not like that. David’s words guarantee us that our compassionate Maker does not abandon those who “consider themselves insignificant”; He knows that in such circumstances, we need him more than ever, and he is close to us.
EXAMPLES OF COMPASSION
Receiving Compassion
In our session, we did a meditation about receiving care. Along with many other women, I tend to be the one who does the caring, instead of being the recipient of care.
Self-Compassion
A friend of mine, who was diagnosed with MS as a young woman, always spoke of what she called extreme self-care. Over the years, I have watched her practice this religiously. It has allowed her to thrive and become an internationally loved author and speaker.
Extending Compassion
Extending care is the love and compassion we feel for those we know, and even for those, we do not know. Approaching the world with a feeling of kindness is about alleviating the suffering of all kinds
CAN COMPASSION BE LEARNED?
Yes, compassion is learned…. It is discovered in a hard school, the school of its suffering, the suffering, and the tests sculpt the human soul when the other makes you confident on a test, you can understand, what she feels, what she experiences, and act if we can. The important thing is to have a listening ear. It is already the beginning of compassion. An example that I experienced a neighbor recently lost a girl by suicide, and I asked my 25-year-old son to accompany me to the funeral home. Why? Did he tell me? (I had lost a son in the same way) I replied: we are going to take the mother in our arms and tell her that we are with her in this ordeal. More by being together, without saying a word! We will show him that we survive this ordeal. Compassion can be taught.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. … Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
GOD BLESS!!!
