Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
The word compassion derives from the Latin word ‘compati,’ which means to ‘suffer alongside.’ Compassion is the attitude of the heart and mind that says, “What hurts you, hurts me.” It doesn’t shrug off others’ needs, blame, or condemn. Compassion never willfully ignores another person’s pain.
True compassion affects our outlook, behavior, and the core of our interactions with others. When we become fully cognizant of the immensity of God’s mercy towards us, we cannot remain indifferent to the struggles of those around us. His mercy compels us to acknowledge those needs and respond with love as radical as that love He poured out on us.
We can’t meet every need, but we can always help—somehow, somewhere, sometime. You don’t need a degree, just a willing and available heart.
Thought: “Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken.” – Henri Nouwen