Relentless EmpathyUddrag

UNDERSTAND!

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law….to the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

1 Corinthians 9:19-22

The first action step of the Relentless Empathy C.U.R.E. process is to connect with other people. The second action step of the process is to understand other people. Abraham Lincoln commented on the power of empathy, specifically on connecting and understanding others, when he said, “A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall. So it is when men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend…Such is man, and so must he be understood by those who would lead him, even to his own best interest.”

One of the most important skills you can develop in human relations is the ability to see things from the other person’s point of view. Why is this so important? Most people are narcissistic or selfish to some degree. We are held captive by our interests, hopes, and dreams. Relentless empathy counters narcissism as we become captivated by the interests, concerns, hopes, fears, and dreams of others! The key to empathetic understanding is finding ways to identify others’ perspectives before attempting to solve or resolve any problem they are facing. It is easier said than done because we do not see things as they are. We see things “as we are”. We often view the situations of others through our own self-focused lenses. To truly understand, we must remove the lens of self and begin to see through the lenses they see through. For example, the Bible exhorts us to remember those in prison as though we are in prison with them (Hebrews 13:3).

Whenever this level of understanding is achieved, it is heaven on earth for both the giver and the receiver. Speaking of heaven, Paul the Apostle, in the verse for the day, used empathy to win as many people to Jesus as he could! Empathy opens people’s hearts to believe; it’s like entering Narnia.

In the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis, children could leave the natural world and enter a spiritual world called Narnia through a wardrobe. Once in Narnia, the children were called upon by the Christ figure, a lion named Aslan, to protect Narnia from evil. In the same way, empathy is the wardrobe transporting you into the spiritual world of those around you. I believe this is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said he had “become all things to all men so that by all means” he might save some.

Reflection:

Can you recall an instance when someone expressed a feeling, belief, or mood that didn’t agree with your perspective? What was your response in each case?

Think of people you may encounter this week. What would happen if you showed a deep emotional understanding of their interests, concerns, hopes, fears, and dreams?