Where Is the Compassion?

This last month has been filled with incredible highs and desperate lows for my family and for many who are dear to us.  Our NKH Family lost three children in one week alone, with several more doing poorly, even close to death. 

Even more personally, I've watched several mommas whom I dearly love, make tough decisions for their medically fragile children, some facing unexpected and life-threatening set-backs within a 24hr time period.  Hope Link has four children home on hospice at this time and one precious boy on the ventilator in a local PICU. 

During this time, I've seen the most beautiful Compassion unfold before me, with people loving those who are hurting, in tangible ways.  I've seen friends AND strangers serving those who are hurting.  I've also seen many missed opportunities to show for Compassion, in my own life and in the lives of many around me.  Because of that, I believe God has opened my eyes to Compassion because really, apart from Him, we have none.  He's sparked within me the desire to dive a bit deeper into "Compassion" itself, and I'd like to share with you a few things I've learned along the way (I do so hope you'll stay along until the end of this blog!).


Compassion (Meriam Webster): a sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

Compassion is when one person looks upon another person's heartache, hardship or grief; all with a desire to put an end to that heartache, hardship or grief,

OR to find a solution for it. 

Compassion isn't just feeling pity for someone's distress; it's not only feeling sympathy, not only weeping alongside them as they endure that distress.  No, compassion means you are SO deeply moved by what you see someone else going through, that you jump to help in any way possible - leaving your own comfort, desires and plans behind.  It's giving of yourself, your time and talents, all to better someone else; to help them through and to carry a burden along with them.

Here's the Thing . . .

Every Believer; every individual who has called Jesus, "Lord",

every Follower of Christ WILL posses and even practice compassion. 

They will also given opportunities to practice Compassion, even on a daily basis. 

Colossians 3:12English Standard Version (ESV)

^12 "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts,

kindness, humility, meekness, and patience".

It's my opinion that not every Believer finds compassion easy, although some really do - that is where the Holy Spirit and His giftings come in.  HOWEVER, as God's Children we are ALL called to LIVE out Compassion, He can and WILL give each of us the strength and ability to show and relay compassion to those around us who are hurting! 

• Christian = Compassion - God will always place it within the heart of the Believer and will give them ample opportunities to live it out for fellow Believers, and for the World around them!
• Compassion isn't just something we are called to practice when it's convenient.  Only helping when it's convenient isn't "compassion" at all.
• Within Christ's "Compassion", we find mercy, love, forgiveness and more, just as shown in Scripture.  He calls us to "put on" or "choose" to act in those specific ways (see Col 3:12).
•  Compassion is something we RUN toward, not away from, just as Christ in His compassion, has seen our distress and has come (and still comes) to us.
• Compassion is a trait of JESUS. In turn, it should be a trait of EVERY Believer. 
• Compassion is one of the main themes of The GOSPEL, and is seen throughout both the Old and New Testament.  is FULL and overflowing with examples of compassion 

Romans 12:20 To the contrary,“if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Matthew 14:14(ESV)¹⁴ When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Romans 12:20(ESV)
²⁰ To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

2 Corinthians 1:2-4(ESV)
² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:12 (ESV), Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Are you living a life of Compassion? 
Do you scroll past those lamenting, sorrowful or "needy" posts on social media? 
Do you turn a blind eye to the neighbor who needs help with her trash cans?
Do you look for ways to show compassion during your day? 
Can you think of ways you've shown compassion recently? 
Does Compassion come easy for you, or is it difficult? 

Once you see how recklessly God loves you;

once you experience His goodness, mercy and forgiveness

in radical ways, and once you've been in a position

to need HIM and ONLY Him to meet your needs,

you will get a FULL taste of how

beautiful Compassion can be!

Friends, I know the updates from family's like ours aren't always happy or full of bliss, and I'm the first to admit that must get old! Some Believers can't stand the monontany of sorrow and pain because it's uncomfortable and "brings them down too".  Others may think, "Didn't they JUST ask for help or prayer?" or, "Seriously? Haven't we heard enough about that grief and heartache!?". However, I encourage you to REACT and ACT with compassion, above all else.  If it's hard for your heart to get there, try putting yourself in the shoes of those who've been called to live these life situations. 

If you've found yourself  feeling some of the things listed above OR

Maybe your heart isn't naturally tender;

your reaction isn't always to run in and relieve or revive.

Perhaps you're afraid of taking too much time away from your

business or your family, even hobbies which are important to you; 

with a humble heart, I suggest doing the following . . .  

• Surrender your ALL to His Lordship - 
• Give Him everything you have (possessions, good name, position)
• Give Him everything you are (personality, background/past, spiritual gifs)
• Give Him everything you hope to be (dreams and desires)
• Ask God to reveal His precious Compassion toward you:
• Ask Him to clearly show you His INFATHOMABLE love, mercy and forgiveness for YOU. 
• Pray that He would overcome you with His love, mercy and forgiveness. 
• Ask God to FILL you with Compassion -Ask Him to fill every part of your body, mind and spirit with His Compassion, Mercy, Love, Kindness, Forgiveness and MORE!
  

•  Ask The Father to give you opportunities - Ask Him to give you opportunities to practice and show Compassion, to live it out toward others. 

Surely, it's more evident now than ever before, that our world is broken. 

Our hearts are broken. 

We are broken as communities. 

We are broken as churches. 

We are broken as The Church. 

The World needs LIGHT, they need compassion, mercy, love, forgiveness, freedom, and all of the many other things Our Jesus brings to us!  The way for the World to SEE that Light is through us, Believers, Followers of Christ.  It's time to set aside selfish gain and pride, and step up and out, LIVING compassionate lives for all to see!  Let's go out there and give them the Compassion Christ so freely extends to us, every moment of every day.


I'm so grateful for the Great Compassion He has shown to me!

Ryan

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Practical Ways to Help/Serve a Family in Crisis:
(medically fragile, special needs, death, and more)

I encourage you NOT to say, "Call me if you need anything"; though it may be a sincere offer, the person in distress and crisis is already overwhelmed and deciding what they need you to do or what would be the most helpful, can be daunting. 

Instead, suggest a day and time you are already available to help, offering to do something specific that's easy for you or that you already enjoy.  For example: Hey, Susie!  I'd love to do laundry for you this week, if it will be of help!  The easiest day for me is on Wed.  May I pick up your laundry then? 

Below, there is a list of things in which you can put into practice what you've learned above by offering to do something you know you are able to consistently do or follow-through with.  It's also really fun and special to have things done without your knowledge.  May the Spirit lead you in loving and serving the world around you! 

• meals - frozen or fresh
• snacks - for the hospital or home
• mow their lawn/do their lawn work (with permission or without)
• bring up trash cans from the curb each week so they don't have to worry about them
• babysitting
• fellowship - offer to come hang out or invite them over to your place
• gift cards - for groceries and toiletries, restaurants and even for places you know they enjoy
• plant flowers in their flower beds (with permission)
• small gifts for the children involved - helping to make sure they feel loved during this time of distress
• and MORE:)!