Empathy

 

Empathy

Hebrews 2: ¹⁴ Since the children, as he calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus himself became like them and shared their human nature. He did this so that through his death he might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death, ¹⁵ and in this way set free those who were slaves all their lives because of their fear of death. ¹⁶ For it is clear that it is not the angels that he helps. Instead, he helps the descendants of Abraham. ¹⁷ This means that he had to become like his people in every way, in order to be their faithful and merciful High Priest in his service to God, so that the people's sins would be forgiven. ¹⁸ And now he can help those who are tempted, because he himself was tempted and suffered.

 

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Difficult times arose and I received advice. “You should do this” or ”you should do that” were the words of well meaning people, but they had not gone through what I was going through. I then ran into someone who had different words. “I went through that and I know how you feel.” This person was someone I could listen to.

 

• I didn’t know I needed empathy versus sympathy.
• I craved to hear from someone who went through my troubles versus someone who guessed at a solution to “my” problem.
• I wanted to hear from someone who got through the pain and was now healed.

 

 

JESUS showed extreme empathy for the world, according to Paul, the assumed writer. HE became as weak as a child for a single purpose, to overcome death. HE was tempted in every way so HE could  become the faithful leader.

 

My Observations

• JESUS loved me so much that HE became a human so HE could understand what I would go through.
• JESUS cared enough for me that HE experienced the range of emotions I would experience.
• JESUS has empathy for me and understands when I fall.

 

GOD is the ultimate forgiver. I mean, HE is not hovering over me trying to get me to change or to be something spectacular. HE understands my faults and says “ I love you dearly because I went through what you are going through.”

 

JESUS faced it all and knows why I feel the way I feel. HE doesn’t say “Get it together” rather HE has words of empathy. HE understands what you and I have gone through and are going through. I am glad HE knows me so well that I can come to HIM with all my problems. I place my trust in JESUS who gives me empathy.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer describe JESUS?
• Have you ever received advice from people who meant well, but did not understand what you were going through?
• Will you seek JESUS because HE knows exactly what you are going through right now, so HE can provide the empathy you need today?

Share in the Help

Share in the Help

1 Corinthians 17: ³ Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! ⁴ He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. ⁵ Just as we have a share in Christ's many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God's great help. ⁶ If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure. ⁷ So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.

 

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Being out of work made me worry about everything. I had never been out of work before and my total dependence was on “my” salary and self-esteem was tied into “my” title. I sat in a group of out of work people at a church.

 

“Help other people” was the message. “Wait! I need help” I thought to myself. I volunteered at a food pantry and helped others get jobs. I found peace that didn’t make sense.

 

• I had lost sight of other people suffering.
• I had fallen into the trap of working so hard that I could not see people who needed help.
• I had forgotten that I had nothing, at one point, and was given much.

 

Paul reminds everyone that GOD the FATHER provides the help. This is a different perspective than GOD the Punisher. Paul then explains that since we get help from the FATHER, we are supposed to help others. But when we suffer, others should help us.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see other people in need, even when I am in need.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE provides all help that I receive and give.
• GOD wants me to give thanks to HIM for any help I have received by helping someone else and being glad about it.

 

GOD sees me in good times and bad. HE knows when my heart is in anguish and when it is elated. HE knows when to send me to someone or when I need help from others.

 

The FATHER rarely gets credit for wanting to help. I mean, sometimes I think that if I broke HIS rules, HE is ready to hit me on the head with a supernatural stick. The FATHER loves. I am grateful to receive HIS help.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about GOD the FATHER?
• Do you sometimes think you are being punished more than you are being loved?
• Can you help someone in the middle of your pain?
• Wil you share where help comes from by receiving help or giving it and praying for those who suffer in the same way you are suffering today?

Tools of a Child

 

Tools of a Child

Romans 8: ¹² So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to. ¹³ For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. ¹⁴ Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. ¹⁵ For the Spirit that God has given you does not make you slaves and cause you to be afraid; instead, the Spirit makes you God's children, and by the Spirit's power we cry out to God, “Father! my Father!” ¹⁶ God's Spirit joins himself to our spirits to declare that we are God's children. ¹⁷ Since we are his children, we will possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we will also possess with Christ what God has kept for him; for if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory.

 

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Seeing another ride caught my attention. I left the group to feed my curiosity. When I looked around, I could not see any familiar faces. Immediately I whipped out the best tool I knew. I cried “I want my mommy and daddy!”

 

Unfortunately, they were not on this church trip to the amusement park. I was taken to an office where questions flew at me, but I had no answers. Shortly after, the bus returned.

 

• When I was a child I was not afraid to see something new.
• When I was a child I cried out for help as my only tool for fixing the situation.
• When I was a child I needed everything and possessed nothing.

 

Paul tells everyone of a serious obligation. Live by human sinful nature and die or live by the Spirit and live. He then explains that we are GOD’s children, not HIS adults or peers or pals. The HOLY SPIRIT caused our Spirits to be part of GOD’s family. GOD takes care of HIS children.

 

• GOD wants me to have the faith of a child.
• GOD wants me to have total dependence on HIM.
• GOD wants me to be freed from fear, doubt and worry so I can hear HIS leading.

 

Age brings pride. I mean, the older I got, the more I thought “I” was doing the things to get me in places or through situations. Soon I believed in “my” abilities to fix any situation. BUT GOD did not like that dead type of thinking.

 

GOD placed situations in front of me that seemed impossible to fix. All I could do was cry “FATHER! My FATHER.” When I surrendered to HIM, HE sent HIS rescue. I am grateful GOD watches over me, HIS child, every day.

 

• Are you desperately trying to fix your situation?
• Do you believe you have to be strong and not cry?
• Will you cry out to GOD who hears you because you are HIS child, so HE will enable you to see all who are suffering and raise you and them up to share in the glory of CHRIST?

 

Exiled and Evacuated

Exiled and Evacuated

Acts 18: After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. ² There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, ³ and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. ⁴ Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

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After the devastation of the hurricane, all that was left of some neighborhoods was a memory. Homes were washed away as the levies broke and floods ensued. Later I went to assist in the repair. It would take over a decade to provide shelter for those who lost their homes.

• I have seen cities that have been torn up.
• I have seen cities that have been devastated.
• I have met people who lost everything they had, with no means to recover.

Paul met Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth. They were exiled because Claudius was tired of the squabbles the Jews were making over JESUS. Claudius exiled all the Jews, prominent and lesser known. They were now homeless. Paul went to help them.

• GOD wants me to help the homeless.
• GOD wants me to help repair the devastation.
• GOD wants me to help those who have been exiled, left out and forgotten.

Any help is welcome when people lose everything. I mean even a cup of water feels great when no water is available. GOD sees my efforts when I assist people in need. While it can sometimes be overwhelming, GOD wants me to serve one person at a time with what I can contribute. Even if it is a smile, GOD can bless the recipient. I am glad to serve.

• Are you willing to serve those who lost everything?
• Are you shielded from seeing the homeless by giving to a gathering who gives to an organization who may give to the homeless?
• Will you directly help those who are in need today?

Compassion

Compassion

John 11: ²⁸ And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” ²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. ³¹ Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

³² Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

³⁷ And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

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Without the scowl, my nemesis looked different this particular day. The air of arrogance was not there. Since I did not trust the guy, I did not listen to the voice inside that said “Go over to him and ask if there is anything you could do?” I passed on the moment. Later, I found out there was a death in his family.

• There have been times when I did not show compassion when I had the chance.
• There have been times when my I lost perspective on what I am supposed to be giving to people.
• There have been times when I was tired of my “kindness” being mistaken for “weakness.”

Mary came to JESUS weeping. She had a similar statement to Martha, only this time it was not laced with blame. “If YOU had been here, my brother would not have died.” The church people around her were crying “with” her. JESUS groaned in the SPIRIT. JESUS wept.

• JESUS wants me to show compassion to everyone HE sends me.
• JESUS wants me to express HIS love to those who annoy me.
• JESUS wants me to be “with” people HE send me to, no matter how different they are from me.

Compassion bubbles over from GOD’s heart. HE wants me to have a healthy portion of this. Instead of “Serves you right” when things go wrong in “that” person’s life, JESUS wants me to desire HIS peace to be placed in their heart. I can fill the hole in my heart with two things, hatred or love. I am grateful GOD chose love towards me.

• Who are you keeping your compassion from?
• Are you refusing to show compassion to “those” people because they look or act different?
• Will you drop your hatred for a moment to show compassion to the person who comes to mind right now?

GOD Understands

Job 10: ² I say to God: Do not declare me guilty,
    but tell me what charges you have against me.
³ Does it please you to oppress me,
    to spurn the work of your hands,
    while you smile on the plans of the wicked?

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In this New Year I begin my journey not blaming GOD.  As I continue in my daily reading, I noticed Job felt beat down and rightfully so. I mean he tried to do everything GOD said to do and he ended up without a family or possessions and sores from the top of his scalp to the soles on his feet. He could not rest.

I have never faced what he faced, yet there have been many times I felt as if GOD were standing over me with a bat, ready to club my head in. My questions would ring out.

• GOD “Why, oh why hast thou forsaken me?”
• GOD “Do I have to drink from this cup?”
• GOD “Do YOU have to turn YOUR back on me?”

Then I realized these were the same questions JESUS asked HIS FATHER. JESUS felt lost and forlorn just like I have at times. HE was misunderstood and slandered by HIS own. Avid church goers decided to kill HIM and follow corrupt people who were in power. It’s apparent GOD wants me to think differently this year.

• GOD wants me to throw away any bitterness towards HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to spit out my poisonous words towards HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom first and all these things will be added to me.

This year GOD wants me to reach out to people and let them know they can always put their trust in HIM.

• Are you still dragging your poison into this year?
• Can you let go of the problems you had last year and wipe the slate clean?
• Will you look to GOD daily instead of looking months down the road?

GOD has pinpoint precision

Exodus 9: ³ the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats. ⁴ But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”

⁵ The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” ⁶ And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.

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Fascinated, I stood outside as the bright sky quickly turned dark. This was not a normal darkness rather the clouds had an eerie color to them. Olive green mixed with grey is the best description I can give the squall. Some of the clouds began to move faster then they started to spiral. It was time to take cover!

As I ran into the basement, the lights went off! Hard rain, wind and loud thunder rocked the house but eventually it passed. Our house was spared but the tornado did touch down with a wake of damage.

• I cannot explain the times where things happen all around me and I am spared.
• I do not understand the moments when problems are going on all around me and I am spared.
• I cannot fathom why a trial happens to some and I am spared.

Many other situations have happened that I cannot explain. From my car spinning out of control and touching nothing to lightning striking feet away and not harming me I have seen many situations where it could have been me but wasn’t. I wonder why GOD has spared me. What does HE want?

 GOD spares me because HE wants me to tell people about HIS SON.

• GOD spares me because HE wants me to show compassion to others just as HE has for me.
• GOD spares me because HE wants me to help those who hurt and show them a way to peace.

I can’t just say thanks for saving me and go about my business.  GOD wants me to interact with others to make sure they are alright.  HE protects me and makes me whole so I can help others focus on what HIS SON did for me.

• Have you been spared from the storm?
• Did something happen to the person right next to you and you were spared?
• Can you realize GOD has a purpose for you?
• Won’t you ask GOD what HE wants you to do today?

Who can help?

Hebrews 4: ¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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As I sat in the auditorium I watched thousands of people walk in. All the pomp and glamour could not excite me because I didn’t know anyone. I was lonely and no one understood the glum look on my face. As I slugged back to my room I heard my name called. “We have been looking for you” one person said. 

“I know this is your first convention and I know how you feel because I felt the same way at my first.” Finally, someone who understood what I was going through!

• When I am tempted to sin I have JESUS who is my empathizer.
• When I am feeling low I have JESUS who is my empathizer.
• When I thoroughly mess up and cause my world to crash, I have JESUS who is my empathizer.

Sometimes I think GOD is there standing over me lording HIS un-follow-able rules. I mean everyone sins so why don’t I just give up and do what I want to do? GOD sees my weaknesses and flaws and determines I am clean.

• My faith should not be in humans rather it should be placed in JESUS who is GOD the SON.
• My faith should not be placed on causes rather it should be placed in JESUS who is GOD the SON.
• My faith should not be in my ability to avoid temptation or sin rather it should be placed in JESUS who is GOD the SON.

I can approach the throne with faith that GOD will accept me and my sins just as I am. HE empathizes with my issues and wants me to do the same to others. Instead of eradicating sin, HE wants me to show love so that HIS sufficient grace can cover their sins.

• Are you hiding your sin or is your heart hard that you believe you are not sinning?
• Are you tired of GOD and HIS rules?
• Can you look at JESUS who is GOD the SON as your empathizer?
• Won’t you forgive yourself as well as others in order to have grace and mercy shown to you?

Please do not mistake my kindness for weakness

Colossians 3: ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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With their arms folded I knew I had no support from the other departments. Somehow my new found revelation of being kind and compassionate was mistaken for weakness. It seemed as though the other departments wanted me to be stark and curt rather than agreeable and cooperative. Maybe I should have gone back to being pushy!

• Being sneaky doesn’t make me a better businessman.
• Being cold and focused on the bottom line doesn’t make me a better leader.
• Being maleficent doesn’t make me closer to GOD but I may get my way and I have to deal with HIS consequences.

Human success was a driving force that seemed to take on a mind of its own. I mean at first I wanted to just do an excellent job, then I wanted to manage, then I wanted to get rid of dead weight, then I wanted to crush those who were in the way of my goals.

Before long I was in a place where people were nothing more than a statistic and those who couldn’t cut it should have been fired anyway. BUT GOD “cut me” from that world and I had to face what I had put others through. Talk about a revelation! “Who will help me?” I wondered in anguish.

• GOD taught me compassion by making me “empathize” with people I once had contempt for.
• GOD taught me kindness by having people treat me poorly the way I treated others.
• GOD taught me humility by stripping away my human titles I once endeared.
• GOD taught me gentleness by delivering people to me who were grieving yet contemptuous.
• GOD taught me patience by placing me in situations where I had to depend on others rather than having them respond to my title.

GOD says “forgive” and HE truly means it. HE wants me to forgive my enemies simply because HE forgave me. I still have the cold, tough dexterity BUT GOD wants me to purposefully show unity, peace and love as an act of strength, not weakness.

• Do you have someone who is against you?
• Do you feel they do not deserve compassion?
• Are you strong enough to show them kindness and gentleness?
• Won’t you forgive “that” person today?

A way out of the fire

2 Corinthians 1: ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.

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It seemed like the year of “death” was never going to end. We had attended more funerals than we could count on both hands and it just did not stop. Meanwhile bills mounted higher and the demands kept coming. Is there any relief?

• There are times when troubles get to me.
• There are times when life presses me on all sides.
• There are times when I just want some relief from the trial.

During these pressing times it seems like GOD doesn’t hear me or care about me. I mean why do I have to go through the trial anyway? Can’t GOD just zap the lesson I’m supposed to learn in me without the trial?

• When I go through trials it isn’t just to learn a lesson of discipline it is to learn empathy.
• When I go through trouble it isn’t just for punishment it is to strengthen some weak areas.
• When I go through tribulation it isn’t just for evil to “win” this time it is to show others what comfort GOD has shown me when I come out the other side.

GOD is the GOD of compassion.  HE knows what I’m going through at all times. HE definitely knows what trials I’m facing and what I’m worried about. HE knows I seek comfort and HE is ready to give it to me in abundance but it may be in a different way than I think.

HE may take me through a trial just to bring me through it to help someone else with that same trial. GOD has an abundance of comfort for me. HE tells me to hold on through this trial because HE is with me.

• Are you going through trials?
• Are you facing some trouble that seems like there is no way out?
• When the trial is over can you tell someone how GOD brought you comfort?

Leave them room to grow

Romans 14: ¹Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.

³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

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Wow what a great dream I was having. As I slept I noticed music playing and people began talking. When I woke up I finally came to my senses. I was in church and had missed the sermon. Well, glad that’s over, now it’s time to have some fun. I jumped in my parents’ car with anticipation of going home.

• From the outside other people look like a mess to me.
• From the outside people aren’t treating GOD like “I” think they should treat HIM.
• From the outside I see some folk’s effort and think to myself “Come on, you have got to be kidding about your service to the LORD.”

I love the statement GOD said directly to me “Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?” In other words how can I judge the person HE put in place?  GOD is the one people serve, not me. HE is so gracious that HE looks at the slightest bit of service as if it were a royal coronation.

GOD wants sincere service and when I try to make people serve the way I serve, I take their eyes off of HIM and place them on me. I’m not saying I shouldn’t teach people more so I shouldn’t expect people to follow my every move.

• GOD has enjoys their worship and forgives me for doubting what they do.
• GOD has accepts them and HE even accepts me.
• GOD has made them stand and HE even stands me up.

The key to helping others is to seek GOD myself. I don’t have to look over at what others are doing rather I must serve GOD fully as HE has instructed me.

• Are you judging how someone is or isn’t serving GOD?
• Do you think you have “more faith” than “that” person?
• Are you willing to let GOD work HIS plan for “that” person?
• Can you focus on your own faith to see if it is sincere in GOD’s eyes?

The last ingredient to getting my way!

John 15: ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

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We arrived at the cancer center for children. I kept looking at my watch keeping track of my time. “Finally” I said to myself as my boss walked in late. “Now that I have officially been seen by my boss, I can get out of here and go do what I want.” I mean he was the one who set this thing up in the first place! Looking back on that, I don’t even remember why I was trying to leave so quickly.

• People with problems should never be an inconvenience to me.
• People with problems should never be viewed as a disruption to my schedule.
• People with problems should never be avoided so I can get “my way.”

Time after time I have seen the weak left behind, the broken trampled and the bothered left alone. It isn’t easy to have patience with a person who has problems and hasn’t got it all together. Why do I know that? Because I finally realized I am one of those weak, broken bothered people.

• GOD wants me to empathize with the weak and hampered so HIS love can shine.
• GOD wants me to show compassion to the weary in order to help them remember HE loves them in spite of their circumstances.
• GOD wants me to serve the underserved to show them GOD hears their prayers and desperately loves them.

What about getting “my” way while I’m doing all this giving and serving? GOD specifically made me for HIS purpose to bear fruit for HIM. The more I make HIS way “my way” the more I can ask in the name of JESUS and get “my way.” Only GOD knows when I am “bearing fruit” because HE is the ONE who keeps track of what I do.

It’s up to me to “ask” for things GOD wants me to have and HE will give it to me in abundance. HE wants me to actually “love” people so that I can know what to ask for.

• Are you frustrated because you are asking GOD for things and not getting your way?
• Have you assessed the things you are asking for to see if it is “all about you?”
• When is the last time you have shown compassion, empathy and love for the underserved?
• Are you planning to bear fruit for GOD the way HE wants you to, knowing it may take you out of your comfort zone?

Act with “love” for you never know…

Luke 22: ¹⁴ When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. ¹⁵ And he said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”

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Tears flowed down my wife’s face as she announced the death of a friend’s sister. Death has not been a stranger to this family as it has visited each year for a number of years in a row. Is GOD in the middle of death?  I know I’m getting older, but death seems to be coming at an alarming rate amongst people younger than me.

• As a follower of GOD it’s tough for me to understand that I have a very specific day and way I am going to die.
• As a follower of GOD it’s tough for me to understand why people have to suffer in life.
• As a follower of GOD it’s difficult to not feel lonely when yet another person passes away.

JESUS knew the specific time and method of HIS death.  HE acted with pure love every day HE walked the earth.  HE truly wanted to be with HIS adopted family one last time before HE would be murdered and blamed for all “my” sins.

This was a time of mixed feelings.  “Hooray” should have been shouted because the KING was there to save anyone who believed in HIS position as savior of the world. Yet it was a downer because the healer, friend and teacher was no longer going to be with them until their death.

• JESUS knew I would miss loved ones when they die so HE sent the COMFORTER to me.
• JESUS knew I would miss loved ones when they die so HE gave me hope to see them again someday.
• JESUS knew I would miss loved ones when they die so HE wept for me in true sorrow for what I have to go through.

HE has pure love and compassion unlike humans who side with their cause of the day. HE loves and gives me a future so I need to live each day with grace, mercy and love for I never know when a loved one will not be here.

• Are you angry at that person?
• Can you find it in your hear to reconcile before it’s too late?
• Is it already too late?
• Can you find it in your heart to forgive yourself and keep living for GOD?

I’m going to “get you back!”

1 Peter 3: ⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

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As I walked down the hall someone stuck their head out of one of the dorm rooms and called me a derogatory name. “What?” I said to myself. I proceeded downstairs, bypassed the authorities of the dorm and got my six foot five 300 pound friend. We beat on the door until they let us in.

There were eight guys in the room yet silence fell on everyone as the two of us advanced into their lair. “Who called my friend the names” he said in a deep bellowing tone. No answer. I yelled at the guys who lived there in a threatening tone and they left me alone the remainder of my years.

Funny, years later I realized that I too had said some derogatory statements that could have triggered this battle.

• In my desire to win I try to get the evil person back by doing something more evil
• In my desire to win I heap on the insults hoping to belittle my opponent into retreating.
• In my desire to win I don’t think about the consequences of my statements or actions.

Repaying evil with evil does not help anyone win in fact I come out behind because I have stooped to their level and have no plan on how to get out. GOD says “let ME fight your battles.” HE tells me “vengeance is MINE, I will repay.” When GOD says these words, HE means it.

• It’s my job to treat my enemy with love and let GOD do the judging.
• It’s my job to have compassion for those who are critical of me.
• It’s my job to sympathize with wrong doers and let GOD do HIS thing.

GOD is judge, jury and executioner when it comes to my enemies. HE loves those who love me and judges those who deliberately try to harm me. HE doesn’t need my help punishing HIS humans because my motives will be evil and HIS are pure love. HE corrects me when I’m wrong and does the same for others.

“Repaying evil with blessing” is not as easy as it seems. First it requires that I think of this person as one of GOD’s humans rather than being my opponent. Next I have to ask myself “What does GOD want me to do?” Finally I have to step away and pray for an answer rather than immediately jumping in with my fleshly sinful first response.

GOD blesses my efforts to "bless" those who are difficult to bless.

• Do you have an antagonist?
• Is that person close to you and their evil actions make you angrier?
• Can you see this person is one of GOD’s humans who needs a blessing from you?
• Will you take time to find out why this person is bent on doing wrong to you so you can pray for them?

JESUS has empathy for me.

Hebrews 2: ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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My stomach growled so I looked in the refrigerator and there wasn’t anything there. I guess I hoped something magically appeared in there because I looked in my wallet and nothing was in there either.

I looked in the cabinet and found a can of corn. I was so delighted.  “I have something to eat!” I thought to myself. Little did I know this event was going to happen several times more in my life. Later I learned there are many people who starve daily. I could only empathize a little.

• Empathy means truly understanding another person’s feelings.
• Empathy means I went through the same thing you did.
• Empathy means I’m with you during “this” trial.

JESUS is full of empathy for every human. HE felt laughter and sadness. HE knew about loneliness, love, fear, joy, doubt, humor, worry, elation, pride, lust, misery, pain and the list goes on and on. HE knows about these things because HE became a human.

This was Satan’s last stand. If he could tempt JESUS into the smallest of sins then JESUS would not be worthy of judging the world and all would be lost. BUT GOD knew what HE was doing. JESUS came through every temptation with flying colors!

GOD has some limitations that I can think of.

• HE can never cease to exist.
• HE can never “have” existed. (Sorry for the poor wording)
• HE can never create another being greater than HIMSELF.

BUT GOD could become a human to show HIS undying relentless love for me. HE could have made me, put some rules into place and watched me fail or HE could do what HE did.

• GOD made me for HIS purpose, amusement and gratification.
• HE knew I would sin yet HE made me anyway.
• GOD wants to love me forever and ever so HE sentenced HIMSELF to death.
• HE became a human, felt “every” temptation and lived a perfect life without sin.
• GOD allowed HIMSELF to be murdered for my sins.

Now that HE is alive, HE empathizes with me daily.

• Do you have empathy with the poor, lonely, or destitute?
• Do you have empathy for another situation you have gone through?
• Can you show compassion for others today?
• Can you thank GOD for HIS empathy?