Blessed are those that comfort

Ephesians 4:32 " Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." I'm quite sure we all have heard this scripture before, but how many of us actually apply it to our daily lives?  Sometimes in life we are so focused and busy with our own lives, we tend to forget about everything else. How many of you know the definition of empathy?  How many know the definition of sympathy? Two very similar words, but with different meanings. Empathy means to have the ability to understand and feel deeply for someone despite the fact that you do not share the same experience. Sympathy simply means to have the capacity to feel deeply for someone, because you have shared the experience. Now knowing the difference between the two words, which one do you tend to do more of?

   There are plenty of times in the bible where Jesus showed empathy to others. In Mark 7:32-35, Jesus healed a deaf man who could not hear and who spoke with difficulty. Jesus took him aside and healed him! Jesus does all things well, he also has a unique way of doing them.  In Luke 7:11-16 Jesus showed up to a funeral in procession. He watched as a widow was going to bury her only son. Jesus felt compassion for her, he felt her pain. So he touched the young man's coffin and he was risen from the dead.  Those are just two examples of Jesus showing empathy in the bible.

    Showing sympathy to someone is easier than showing empathy. People tend to comfort those who they feel as though they can relate to. When a situation arises that they have never experienced, the initial response is to ignore it as if you never saw it.   God wants us to help others, he constantly repeats it numerous times throughout the bible. So we must ask ourselves, am i going to do what was asked of me, or walk away? Before answering that question, think of how many times Jesus brought you through. Think of how many times he showed empathy to you and your situation. When we disobey him, he is still there to comfort us in our time of need. 

    We have to stop being selfish, and open up our hearts!  Never forget where you came from and where God has brought you to now. We tend to take credit for the things he has done for us, instead of giving him his praise.  We let the world influence our actions, for the fear of being left out.  We ignore those who we know are in need simply because we are "too busy". Think of the times God used people you didn't know or least expected to bless you? You could possibly be the blessing in someone life, but are too stubborn to see it that way. The first step to conquering a situation is to admit what you are doing wrong. Once you take that first step allow God to work in your life.  

(Supporting Scriptures)

1.     Philippians 2:3- Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

2.     1 Peter 3:8-10- All off you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind hearted, and humble in spirit; not returning to evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose  that you might inherit a blessing.

3.     Romans 12:15- Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

  Showing empathy to someone does not mean you are a weak minded individual. It actually proves how close you are to God to others. Being able to comfort someone during their time of need and be able to uplift them is amazing. Think of how they will look at it. This person has never been through what I'm going through, but yet they have helped me get through.  The next time you pray, ask God to open up those doors to allow you to help someone. He is very pleased when we ask to do his work, especially with a pure and sincere heart. Remember people, it's good to show sympathy towards people, but let's learn to show a little more empathy!