+DEV+ Sympathy

Date: May 14, 2009 9:16 PM

Topic: +DEV+     Sympathy

Sympathy

Scripture Focus: Luke 7:11-17

“A dead person was being carried out the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. .  . . When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, Don’t cry‚” (Luke 7:12-13).

Someone has said, “People will not care what you know until they know that you care.” Talk is cheap. It is easier to tell people we care than it is to show that we do.

Jesus often demonstrated His concern for people. One day He watched a dead man being carried out of the city for burial. When He saw the man‚s mother and observed her grief, He immediately felt compassion for her. Going beyond His feelings, He acted He brought the son back to life.

We don’t have His power to raise the dead, but we do have the ability to sympathize genuinely with individuals and act to help them in their grief or suffering. There are many ways to demonstrate sympathy beyond saying vaguely, “I care,” and “Call me if you need anything.” We can:

• spend time with the person

• offer to run errands or clean house

• take meals to her or take her out to eat

• send a card of encouragement

What can you add to this list? 

Insight: Whom do you know who needs sympathy in action? How will you show yours today?