Compassion

The word God laid on my heart to look at to day is the word “compassion”…

Compassion:
Websters 18:28- A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow.
Strong’s Dictionary- (have) pity, spare;merciful; love, (find, have, obtain, shew) mercy; comfort; tender mercy; feel sympathy.

Compassionate:
Websters 1828- Having a temper or disposition to pity; inclined to show mercy; merciful; having a heart that is tender, and easily moved by the distresses, sufferings, wants and infirmities of others.

As we can see from scripture God is compassionate…

“But He, full of [merciful] compassion, forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not; yes, many a time He turned His anger away and did not stir up all His wrath and indignation.” Psalm 78:38

“But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalm 86:15

“The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”Psalm 145:9

In Ephesians 5:1 it says… “THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].” We are supposed to imitate God. Compassion is sometimes a characteristic we throw out the window when we get angry or irritated, or we just lack understanding, but you never know what someone else’s life is, you never know what they are going through. Sometimes if someone is coming at you with anger all they need is someone with a heart of compassion that is willing to see past that. Sometimes it will break down the walls that surround them, and by being compassionate as God is compassionate it can open the door for you to be able to minister unto them. So I just urge each one of you no matter who you encounter treat each with a heart of compassion, just as your Father does. God bless!!

Tracy Willey