I AM CHALLENGE DAY SEVENTEEN

I AM

COMPASSIONATE

What is compassion? 

One way to describe compassion, is to be tenderhearted.

 'tender' (gentle, kind) 'hearted' (focused on love)

compassion (definition) a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune,  accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.

Remind you of anyone?

To me, this describes Jesus. 

He was gentle, kind, focused on love and He died to alleviate the suffering of all mankind. 

What an incredible example he gave us.

Being compassionate is wanting the best for others, regardless of who they are, where they came from or how they treat you. 

This is where the second part of Ephesians 4:32 comes in...here is the entire verse:

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 

NIV

Kind ~ Compassionate ~ Forgiving 

Forgiving someone is the greatest act of kindness and the most compassionate thing you can give to them and to you.

Sometimes compassion looks like giving up the right to be right, and choosing to being tenderhearted instead. 

As we move forward, I want to encourage you to seek the Lord and ask Him if there is anywhere in your life where unforgiveness may still reside. Is there anyone who hurt you, you need to forgive?  

Be compassionate to yourself and release them! The Lord wants you Free!

Finally, I love how Speak Life & Live is Gods idea...

I dare you to read the entire chapter of Ephesians 4 from the Message Bible - talk about straught forward!

Heres just a small portion 4:29-32: (emphasis mine)

29 Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

30 Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

31-32 Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

The Message (MSG)