“Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. (1 Peter 3:8. NLT)
This is a plea that we continue to risk the pain of caring. Of seeing and hearing things that break our hearts so that compassion can bleed through the cracks. My friend and worship leader Travis Cottrell said something recently I can’t get off my mind: “It hurts so bad to love so much.” Yes, it does. And one way we’ll know if we’re continuing to take the risk of loving is if we’re sharing the burden of hurting.
As the world grows colder and colder and we’re tempted to get harder and harder, we’ve got to be willing to draw from our Source. Psalm 116:6 tells us “our God is full of compassion.” Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us His “compassions never fail. They are new every morning.” God’s compassion is always full, never fails, and is ever new. The sun rises every morning on all the manna of mercy we’ll need that day to make it. Even the manna we’ll need to help someone else make it. Sometimes we just sit and listen. Other times we weep while they weep. Still other times they demand a word from us.
Read 1 Peter 3:8 again. What in the world does being humble have to do with being compassionate? True compassion comes from the open admission that we, too, have known pain and weakness.
(Beth Moore, Voices of the Faithful compiled by Kim P. Davis, taken from pages 359-361)
Today I am joining … Open Sunday Thoughts and Spiritual Sundays and Scripture & a Snapshot and Sunday Scripture Blessings .
Yes.
Sometimes the bravest act we can offer is to care. And this post is timely for me, Joanne, because just yesterday I was in the midst of a ti-rage about something with my patient husband and said, “I wish I just didn’t care so much about this.”
And I do wish that, but maybe by caring (and by feeling the rage) God can use me to make a difference.
Blessings to you, my friend!
Michele, praying God will use you to make a difference! Somehow, I think you already do!
“True compassion comes from the open admission that we, too, have known pain and weakness.” That statement is so, so true. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God is always full of compassion – never half full. That inspires me to work on that area of my life.
Julie, I am so grateful for our God who is always full of compassion. And He will pour into us as well if we come before Him and simply ask. Blessings!
So true, the world today and the temptation to not get harder and harder an attitude. I’ve had to just walk away from the news at times. I fear, I am becoming one of those crouchey old women, and I don’t want to. The reading helps, and your words this morning are a great reminder that there is more than this cold world. There is the beauty that is all around…even in this gloomy, rainy morning that we’re having today. We just keep, keeping on and his words that you share are the biggest help. Thanks for visiting and linking.
Peabea@Peabea Scribbles
May we guard our hearts diligently so that we do not become cold. May we allow the Lord to keep our hearts tender and full of compassion. It is a blessing to share with you each week as your words encourage me each week!
The vulnerability of loving is hard! I want to understand the balance that Jesus was able to live in, to love fully while not trusting Himself to others. (John 2) How does that work? Perhaps the key is being so full of the Father’s love that we are not affected by other’s responses to us?
Elizabeth, you have raised such a great question to ponder. Earlier this morning, I read Philippians 3:5-11. For us, perhaps the key is being full of the Father’s love and realizing the infinite value of knowing Christ. Everything else becomes worthless. Grateful you shared as I will be mulling this around all day. xo
I heard a beautiful quote the other day by Margaret Nadauld: “Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.” I try and remember this when I am tempted to put up a barrier to my feelings. God needs women (and men) who love and love deeply. Thank you for your thoughts today!
Cheryl, that is a beautiful quote and I am grateful you shared it. I want to be that kind of woman as well. Blessings!
Joanne,
When we dare to care, we risk getting hurt, but when I look at the love and compassion that Christ poured out for me and continues to lavish upon me, how can I not respond with a similar heart that cares??
Blessings sweet friend,
Bev xx
Bev, love is always worth the risk. May we pour it all out for the cause of Christ. xo