Compassion

32 But recall those earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33sometimes being publicly exposed to abuse and persecution, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34For you had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions, knowing that you yourselves possessed something better and more lasting. 35Do not, therefore, abandon that confidence of yours; it brings a great reward. 36For you need endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36)

REFLECTION:

Christians aren’t “fix-it” people. We are people of love and compassion. Sometimes, trying to “fix it” does anything BUT show love and compassion.

Have you ever had a friend who was so down that nothing you said could lift them out of their funk? Have you ever been so down that others tried to lift you out of your funk? Have you ever heard someone say, “it’s OK – cheer up!” and not felt any better?

If the answer to any of those questions is “yes,” then you get it. You know that sometimes, the most caring thing someone can do is sit with you in your pain rather than try to “fix it.” Often, we try to get others to cheer up because we are uncomfortable with suffering. If only they would cheer up, they wouldn’t be so hard to be around…

However, as you hear in the above passage, this is not what Christians are about. We are about showing love and compassion. And the beautiful, difficult truth is that the word “com”-“passion” literally means “suffering with.”

So, if you have someone in your life who is suffering, recognize that it’s not your job to fix them, but simply to be with them, and in that way you are reflecting the never-failing love of God.

PRAYER: 

God of all creation, reveal yourself to me and through me today – in storms and in calm, in sorrow and in joy, in trouble and in peace. Amen.