Heart ChecksSample

Be Empathetic

When we think of the word happy, we quickly move to the word attitude. Because Jesus talks a lot about happiness and positive attributes in the Beatitudes, scholars throughout the generations have called these eight statements the Beatitudes. Your attitude determines how you see life, circumstances, relationships, and opportunities. Our attitude is key to healthy living.

Here’s our problem…Trouble and challenges are going to come in life. If we don’t know how to respond, we can end up in a tough place. In John 16:33, Jesus promises, “…In the world youwill have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus—the Master Teacher—promises us troubles are going to come knocking. The beautiful reality is—Jesus has overcome and He’s living in us as His followers.

That’s why Jesus says in today’s Beatitude, Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Here, we see Jesus redefining happiness. He’s saying, “We need to mourn.” Then He says something quite paradoxical—our mourning will lead to happiness. Happy are those who mourn…

To mourn means: to express deep sorrow or grief. We should all grieve deep losses in our life: a death, a missed opportunity, a shattered relationship, a failure. We grieve for and with others in their pain and loss as well.

Thankfully Jesus has been there. He practices what He preaches. While He encourages us to grieve and mourn, He also models it. Jesus was no stranger to sorrow. He was not distant from grief. It was prophesied of him 700 years before his birth in Isaiah 53:3-4, He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…

Jesus was a Man of sorrows. Yes, He was blessed. Yes, He was happy. But, He was also acquainted with grief! He’s been through it. He can relate to our pain. In fact, there are three clear lessons on grief and happiness we learn from Jesus:

1. It’s OK to grieve.

Grieving is not weak or unspiritual—it’s a humble, honest, healthy response to the painful troubles we face.If you don’t process your pain and losses in life, you get stuck in your relationship with God and others. Remember, Jesus is saying, “Happy are those who grieve their loss, for they will be comforted.”

2. Grieving puts us on the receiving and giving end of Jesus’ love and empathy.

Grieving is a picture of love in action. Jesus sees you. He is acquainted with YOUR sorrow and wants to cry with you and love you through the pain. You’re not alone.

3. Jesus brings new life out of our pain.

God loves you and wants to comfort you today on your road toward healing. In due season, you will rise again. You will be able to go on. By the power of Jesus you will be able to walk in the grace of a new day. We can biblically grieve as you trust God will bring good out of our loss.

Friends, Jesus loves you! He longs to raise you up and comfort you. Jesus wants you to have a fresh perspective and experience life with new power.

Today’s heart check: How is my heart empathizing with those hurting around me?

After you reflect, bring everything to God in prayer.