Empathy

\ ˈem-pə-thē \

: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another…

Empathy requires us to put ourselves into the shoes of another and imagine how they might be feeling about or dealing with a given situation. It is a place of humility. Today’s culture suggests that showing empathy for another is a sign of weakness. I would like to suggest this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, much like offering forgiveness, offering empathy requires great strength and confidence. Recently, I read in Darling Media, “At its core, empathy is all about respect. It’s about seeing and responding to the needs and experiences of the people around us, which makes it a powerful tool not only in relationships but also in the workplace.”

When we see people struggling, our place as daughters of the Most High is to help them see just how loved they really are. Helping a person know how valued and affirmed they are is a holy work. But it doesn’t always come naturally, or conveniently. Showing compassion to others requires us to step outside ourselves and our schedules. It requires us to slow down long enough to recognize the person in front of us needs something. Empathy takes our attention and our time. 

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself.
You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out.
Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.
If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
Galatians 6:1-3 MSG

Grandma Slattery would have said it like this, “Be nice to others and don’t get too big for your britches.” 

After a pretty difficult season, I’ve had opportunity to examine my own actions for a few months now and, honestly, I haven’t been too proud of some of my own behavior. Somewhere along the line I allowed the difficulties to harden my heart in certain areas. It is so easy to make excuses, explain away the reason for an ugly thought, or tell ourselves that it was just in our mind so it didn’t hurt anyone. But Solomon has something to say about that too…

Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23

There is no escaping our own heart so we must do all we can to invite the Holy Spirit’s work in it. We are human and susceptible to sin that so easily entangles so let’s be diligent in keeping short accounts. More and more, I’m asking the Lord to remove the weeds of high-mindedness and prune anything that doesn’t bring Him glory. This requires my willingness to have the soil of my heart disturbed – sometimes, fully wrecked. Weeds have a way of spreading their roots wide and deep; intertwining with other roots, rocks, and anything they can wrap themselves around. So untangling and pulling them out can be messy. But, oh, so worth it!

So I’ve decided to fully cooperate with the Holy Spirit when I feel that twinge of conviction. I’m mindful of submitting to His work when something sharp enters my mind. I’m doing my best to remember – truly ponder – the forgiveness that I’ve already received in abundance. There is something about personal reflection that waters the seeds of empathy and compassion. And empathy is a good measuring stick for the Holy Spirit’s work in us. As empathy rises, so will words of kindness, encouragement, peace, and genuine love for those around us. And who doesn’t need to be reminded that…

You are adored.