EmotionsSample

Jesus Showed Real Compassion

In our 24-hour breaking news cycle, we see tragedy all around us that, unfortunately, becomes pretty normalized. This combination of real-time reporting and social media has desensitized us to pain. We don’t want to feel pain—so we keep scrolling. But as followers of Jesus, we’re called to mourn with those who mourn and to love our neighbor as ourselves. 

We see Jesus, during His time on earth, not only feel compassion for those in pain, but then respond with meaningful and loving action that makes a difference. So, what does real compassion look like? 

The word compassion comes from two parts. The first part, “com” is a prefix that means “with.” The second part, “passion,” comes from a Greek word meaning “suffering.” So, compassion literally means “suffering with.” If we’re really going to be like Jesus, we can’t just like a social media post and do nothing about it. We’ve got to really serve people, and really love them. Just check out what Romans 12:9-10 says: 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:9-10 NLT 

So, how do we stop wishing we could help people and start actually helping them with real compassion?

1. When you think to pray for someone, actually pray for them. Right then. We’ve all been there. You see a social media post from a friend asking for prayer, and you say you’ll do it and forget. It happens. But what if it didn’t? Next time you see a friend asking for prayer, pray for them right there. You can even keep track of your prayer requests right here in the Bible App! God loves it when we talk to Him, and we know the prayer of a righteous person is powerful.
2. Start a generosity budget. Don’t make generosity an afterthought. Plan on it! Consider going above and beyond your tithe to be a blessing to someone else. Every month, plan on saving a little bit to help someone in need. It could be buying lunch for a friend. It could be meeting a need for a single mom who lives on your street. It could mean pitching in for some diapers for that friend who’s fostering another baby this year. Whatever you designate it for, plan to use your resources to accomplish God’s purposes. Ask God to help you meet a need, and He will!
3. Serve somewhere. Did you know that serving others actually reduces stress levels in the brain? It does! But even more importantly, serving others is a part of God’s will for your life. Stop wishing you could help people. Instead, serve them! There are countless opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others. Maybe, for you, it’s volunteering at your church’s kids’ ministry as a small group leader. Maybe it’s offering to babysit your neighbor’s kids for free once a week. It could be signing up to serve with a local mission partner in your community. Whatever it is, find someplace where you can use the gifts God’s given you to help others. 

Let’s not merely feel compassion as an emotion. Let’s put it into action by living like Jesus—entering into the suffering of others and showing radical, others-first love.

Pray: Jesus, thank You for modeling what it looks like to have compassion for others around me. Help me show real compassion to everyone in my path today. Open my eyes to the needs in front of me, and help me to meet them. Help me live and love more like You today and every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.