SYMPATHY AND EMPATHY!

Job 30:25 AMPC

Did not I weep for him who was in trouble? Was not my heart grieved for the poor and needy?

 

Sympathy is the formal expression of pity or sorrow for someone else's misfortune and the state or fact of responding in a way like or corresponding to another. Sympathy is also the understanding between people, a common feeling and shared support from the same feelings and opinions.

Something happened this week to make me put myself in that person's shoes to realise that sympathy and empathy are something everyone, especially believers need to express occasionally, if not always.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Are you a sympathetic and empathic person or are you just sympathetic or empathic only? A sympathetic person reaches out in compassion to one in need and stands beside that person to be of comfort and help.

We appreciate sympathy from others, as others appreciate sympathy from us. Sometimes we cry out for sympathy and seem and feel like no one understands what we’re feeling and going through and therefore cannot offer us the desired sympathy, a lot like Job. Sympathy is what Romans 12:15 describes and encourages us to do: show sympathy by weeping and rejoicing with those who do. When one is sympathetic or empathic toward others, they are essentially expressing the mark of being like Jesus, which is the goal and calling of every Christian as 1 Peter 1:22 says “You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” If we lack compassion toward others, particularly believers, ask God for help.

The Bible is full of scriptures encouraging sympathy and empathy such as Galatians 6:2 “Share each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ, 1 Peter 3:8. Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tender-hearted and keep a humble attitude as 1 Corinthians 9:22 states.

When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. Being sympathetic as seen in Mark 2:1-4 is a way to bring others to Jesus so that they can know him, too. The friends in Mark 2 are another good example of these; They felt their friend’s need, acted on that feeling, overcame obstacles to help and brought him to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says “All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.

When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. We see here that ministering to others, helping them through their troubles to be sympathetic and a way to praise God. There are times and situations when we don’t know how to sympathise or empathise with someone, that’s not because of wickedness, indifference, or lack of caring, it may just be that either we don’t understand the need or situation or have the words or action to express ourselves.

And if we’re ever in such a situation, the best thing we can do then is offer a listening ear and love.

We must understand and appreciate everyone’s unique needs and gifts so we can all work in harmony according to 1 Peter 3:8, courteously and humbly offer love, it never goes wrong.

Believers must learn to be like Job in saying “I was a father to the poor and needy; the cause of him I did not know I searched out in Job 29:16.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

·       In what recent situation did I choose sympathy or empathy, and how did my response reflect the heart of Jesus?

·       Are there people around me who need comfort, support, or a listening ear, and how can I intentionally offer Godly compassion to them this week?

·       What hinders me from expressing heartfelt sympathy or empathy, and how can I ask God to help me grow in this area as encouraged in Scripture?

PRAYER: God of all comfort, help me to express Godly sympathy and empathy to those in need around me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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