Compassion in an impoverished world

LIVING | HEALTH

The word compassion is defined by Merriam–Webster as the “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” In other words, having compassion is when you feel someone else’s burden, and your reaction is to want to help relieve that burden.

The intentional response to a feeling is part of the human process of reacting to our surroundings, but there are times when we are unsure about the next step. Can you relate? Feeling compassion for our communities, states, countries, and world can be influenced by how connected we are to others’ distress. We can desensitize ourselves when the burden doesn’t directly relate to us. For example, local or international news reports highlight the daily suffering people face. Wars, racial and religious discrimination, poverty, and many other turbulent issues face us locally and globally.

We may feel sympathy for people, but compassion is the next step to help alleviate their distress. Jesus regularly showed

compassion. Galatians 5:14 (Amplified Version) says, “For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].” This scripture shares the wisdom we should live by and defines compassion.

A familiar parable told by Jesus in Luke 10: 25–37 relates precisely to the differences between compassion and indifference. A man is beaten, stripped of his clothing, and left on the side of the road for dead by robbers. At two different times, people walk by this man. We know they saw him because the parable tells us they went around the man and that they didn’t want to get very close.

But to be clear, these men did not show compassion. Perhaps they felt bad for the man, but they had no desire to alleviate the distress or provide care for him. So then, a third man walks down this same road and encounters this man who certainly has been lying on the road for quite some time.

This third man feels compassion. We know this because as the story is told, we learn that he provided first–aid, transportation to an inn, paid for the stay, and offered to cover further expenses.

Can you relate to the men who walked by or to the man who stopped to help? Or perhaps to the man who was beaten and left on the side of the road. Not physically, but are you in a season where you feel defeated, weak, and helpless? Or maybe you have seen someone in need in your community, church or family but were unsure how to take that next step to help, so you ignored them or the problem altogether.

No shaming here. This is a space and opportunity to recognize that there are ways to connect with people and to show compassion for them. Within your sphere of influence, is there someone who needs an encouraging word, a pick–up or drop–off to church, a family that could use a meal?

Your response may be small, but the compassion you express for someone can be life–changing. Does the desire to help feel overwhelming because you don’t know where to begin? Then begin by praying about it. Have a simple conversation with God and ask how you can best serve and show compassion.

“Lord, my heart aches for the situation before me. Your compassion is far greater than I can ever imagine. Help me to love others as extravagantly as you love. I want to help, but I’m not sure how. Please guide me with your wisdom, power, and love to move me in this process. Amen.”

How do we practice compassion?

Here are some suggestions to guide you in the practice of compassion.

VOLUNTEER: Community–based organizations are in great need for your time and effort. The Salvation Army offers many opportunities to volunteer and assists with community needs. Is there an issue, event or people in need that you are drawn to help?

PRAY: Notice those who are burdened, in distress, or hurting around you. As you read through a news article or watch the news on TV, pray for what you are watching at the moment. Are you feeling resistance to praying for a particular issue? Why do you feel that way? Allow yourself to sit in prayer and ask God to help release that resistance.

VISIT: One–on–one attention, when someone is homebound, in the hospital or lonely, can be encouraged and shown compassion by an in–person visit. So how can you provide the gift of time to someone who could use a visit?

REFLECT: In a quiet space, reflect on times in your life when you were shown compassion by someone else. How did it make you feel to receive that compassion? How was the compassion shown to you? Then, reflect on a time when you felt compassion from God. Can you name the feeling or the experience of that exchange?

"The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation." — PSALM 145: 8–9 (NEW LIVING TRANSLATION)

by JOANNA POLAREK