We know the struggles, issues, or concerns we have with our circumstances, and it can be frustrating when people don’t extend empathy and compassion to them. For example, there’re safety measures that you implement at your job or home and you expect people to abide by them and do their part. You then jump into your car and do 45 mph in a school zone that is 20 mph, willing to risk the lives of children. How deep did your empathy and compassion go for those children and their families? We would reprimand and penalize someone for breaking our rule but we justify and rationalize breaking someone else’s.
We must be people that strive to understand instead of being careless and thoughtless of the struggles of others. No matter what the circumstances are, someone is affected by our lack of understanding and willingness to help.
Turn selfishness into mindfulness
Using empathy will turn selfishness into mindfulness. Putting yourself in the position of someone else will allow you to better understand their needs and concerns. When we focus only on how things affect us we miss opportunities to connect and serve others. We must place a high value of importance on people. If I make you a priority and you make me a priority all bases are covered.
It’s not only about seeing another person’s perspective, it’s about being helpful and doing your part to make a situation better. Awareness of an individual’s feelings, difficulties, and potential difficulties are key in breaking through selfishness. Remember, life can change at any given moment, and you may be on the end of needing someone’s help.
Prayer
It can be overwhelming watching or hearing about the tragedies and devastation in the world. Sometimes, I have to turn the media off because I feel helpless. The Holy Spirit quickly moves me into prayer. I never want to become so overwhelmed or disconnected that I don’t call on the name of Jesus for others. Prayer is how we can extend compassion for the circumstances of others. While my prayers are interceding for someone, I’m so grateful that someone’s prayers are interceding for me.
We should also use prayer for ourselves to ask the Lord to help us not to become insensitive to the feelings and circumstances of others. We can be harsh and impatient with the cashier at the grocery store or the flow of traffic on the highway. Be mindful that other factors play a role in situations and a person’s attitude or approach. I’m not condoning a bad attitude or approach but through prayer, we can uplift them, and ourselves to better handle each other. On a side note, sometimes we mismanage our time and are careless with our planning. Being careless causes us to take it out on others. If we left earlier the flow of traffic wouldn’t bother us as much. Keeping track of what we need and making a list might alleviate frustration at the store.
In conclusion
The world would tell you to put yourself before others and to take care of number one first. Look to Jesus as the ultimate example of selflessness. He died for us while we were yet sinners, Romans 5:8. There’s never a limit to His compassion for us. His mercies are new every morning, Lamentations 3:22-23. We must stop making it about ourselves and be willing to extend ourselves in ways that may be out of our comfort zone. Take the time to think and learn about people. Choose to be a blessing and a help.
ACTION ITEM(S)
- Do you regularly make yourself (feelings, circumstances, comfort zone) a priority over others?
- Do you make excuses or rationalize breaking rules of others?
- How often do you pray for others?
- Pray for yours, mine, and other hearts to be softened and of a greater help to those we come in contact with.
This is good!! Learning to RESPECT the decisions people make to govern their lives has been a priority of mine for the last couple of years. Prior to learning the importance of “respect”, I used to take their choices personal if they didn’t include me. How adolescent! You are absolutely right about the prayer aspect. It was only through prayer and the Word that I could come to that level of maturity!
Thank you so much for this reminder because as you know there’s always going to be something that will try to push us back to our old way of thinking, behaving, and believing. Therefore we MUST continue in prayer and Bible study to maintain it!! ❤️❤️
Lisa, Respect is key and is missing in so many of our daily interactions. In general I don’t think we place enough emphasis on prayers that impact or command change. Those prayers that you are being vulnerable and exposing yourself to the Lord. That is my daily aim. Thank you for your insight!