Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
November 8, 2024
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! He is the compassionate Father and God of all comfort. 4 He’s the one who comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble. We offer the same comfort that we ourselves received from God.
Good Morning! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Compassion is a social feeling that motivates people to go out of their way to relieve the physical, mental, or emotional pains of others and themselves. It is sensitivity to the emotional aspects of others' suffering. Being compassionate typically means you care and want to help.
Being compassionate does not mean stripping someone of their dignity and self-worth. Thus begins the dance of helping and supporting by building up those in need. This process starts with being a good listener. Each of us has a story to tell. Listen purposely to the story shared with you as you encourage the person to share. We must be careful not to judge or impose our views on the one sharing.
When you share your story, you are vulnerable. We can establish trust when we listen, speak kindly, and humble ourselves. Limit your speaking during the other person's sharing, and when you speak, repeat some of their words to show that you are listening. Never start by saying, “I understand, so here’s what you have to do!” Encourage them to generate possible solutions and help them work through their ideas.
Finally, compassion is not about doing things for others but teaching and supporting them to do things for themselves. Lao Tsu said that if you give a hungry man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.
Dear Lord, We are your children! Humility is sometimes difficult for us to present. May we be ever thankful to You as we share your love with the world. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Share the compassion God gives us with all we meet.
Be Compassionate! Pastor Liz
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