We’re in times where compassion is not a popular deal anymore. People are only ready to help if it benefits them. Many have traded kind and comforting words for judging and condemning words. However, no matter how popular being cold to one another gets, the family of believers must remain a body of warmth and compassion.
Compassion is not a law of convenience.
Compassion is a scriptural phenomenon and this one thing is very evident in the life of Jesus Christ. In fact, it’s almost as if the C in Christ stands for compassion. It is because of His compassion that we are here today (Lamentations 3:22). Even when we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, not because it was the easiest thing to do but because of the compassion He has towards us. Regardless of what the situation may be, we must find it in us to remain compassionate to others…the Holy Spirit within us helps us to live in such manner. Believers need to learn that we do not save the show of love for only when it’s convenient for us. You are given a spirit which is above circumstances, you should not let circumstances determine when to show love or not.
Compassion doesn’t pick and choose.
Whether we choose to believe it or not, so many people in the world today are going through a lot. People are depressed and coming down with various mental health issues. What should be the role of Christians in this? Well, it’s obvious, pray for them, pray with them. However, I’ve encountered in times past, quite a few people who felt the need to shove some “facts” down the throats of those with such challenges. You would hear people say things like “why is she depressed, people have gone through worse”. True, there might be someone somewhere going through much more but how encouraging is that? No matter how little a person’s challenge may seem, you are in no position to dismiss the person, because to you it might be a mole hill but to them it is a mountain. Therefore, showing compassion to such people would mean praying for them or even just listening to them and encouraging them with your words. Just as we cannot decide when we choose to be compassionate, we cannot decide who we choose to be compassionate to. Even God causes His sun to rise on everyone. (Matthew 5:45)
Carrying the burden of others.
Christianity is a call to live just like Christ and if this is so, it means we are to carry each other’s burdens just like Jesus carries ours. The word of God tells us to do so (Galatians 6:2). We are not to involve in fair-weather relationships and the implication of this is that we should make ourselves available such that people can lean on us, that when they’re in distress, they can call to us. Compassion does not start and end with sharing clothes to the needy or taking food to the hungry. It also involves being that person that your neighbor or a brethren from church can call up in the middle of the night when he or she feels burdened by a situation.
The world is being drained of compassion on a daily basis, people are either too busy or too engrossed with “self-love”. The truth of the matter is that the less popular compassion is, the easier it is for hate, enmity and evil to grow. Being mean is not cool, and we cannot truly express the love of God when we choose to be cold towards others. In a world so full of indifference, be the person who gives warmth and shows compassion.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience”
¨¨Colossians 3:12
Faith+blog 