I love to try to figure people out. Do you ever do that? I love to observe and watch people's reactions to each other... maybe it's from majoring in counseling, I don't know. But one thing I have noticed over and over is that people can be very compassionate towards someone else's struggles when they themselves have been through that same thing.
Maybe you're having some big personal problems, or having relationship issues. Maybe you're stuck with a sin that you can't seem to shake. Perhaps you struggle with addiction, or depression. Someone who has been there before knows what you're going through. Those are great friends to have. They say things like "I've been there. I know how it is. You're going to be okay."
On the other side of the coin are those who have not been through what you are going through, and maybe feel free to pass judgement. They might ask why you haven't tried this or that to fix your problem, or ask how you even got there in the first place. After talking to someone like that, you might be inclined to heap even more judgement upon yourself.
Which kind of friend are you? Which kind of friends do you have?
I'm pretty sure I've been both, depending on the issue. But my prayer is that God would grant me the heart to be compassionate regardless of my thoughts or feelings. It is not my place to judge, but it is definitely my place to love.
Colossians 3:12 says this: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
Clothe yourself with compassion. I love that. We are dearly loved, and therefore we are called to dearly love.
Lord God, please help me to love others the way that you love me, and to reach out to those who are suffering. Help me, Lord, to be gentle and kind in my responses to others. Grant me a heart full of love and compassion, overflowing.
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