The Tenderness of Compassion
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
06/28/2021
Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief. (Proverbs 14:13)
People-watching is one of my favorite pastimes. Back in the day when people went to shopping malls instead of Amazon.com to make purchases, I would enjoy sitting on a mall bench and observing my fellow shoppers as they hustled and bustled about. I tried to guess what each person was doing based on their expressions, the pace of their walk, or other visible signs.
Sometimes, I would have imaginary conversations with myself about someone as they passed by. “Look at that guy. He’s probably trying frantically to buy a present for his wife whose birthday is today, and he forgot about it until the last minute.” Or “Check out that lady with all those packages. I bet she never met a credit card she didn’t like!”
Although we should know better, we all tend to look at others and make snap judgments. This is because we are conditioned to look at the surface. Seldom do we take the time to look beyond someone’s clothes, or expressions, or packages, or appearance to see what might really be there. Behind every face is a soul, and within every soul are needs, and hurts, and burdens.
Christians, of all people, should be able to overcome superficiality in our relationships and take the time to show genuine compassion. After all, we know what it is like to have all pretense stripped away and come empty-handed to the cross looking for forgiveness and eternal life. “Nothing in my hand I bring! Simply to the cross I cling!”
There is a harshness to hasty characterizations about others. By contrast, there is a tenderness to showing compassion. Why not ask, “Why is this guy rushing so frantically? I wonder what is going on in his life.” Or “Is it possible this lady is buying gifts for the children down at the women’s center?” In some cases, if we will look through the lens of a tender heart, we may see sorrow in disguise. The Bible reminds us that “even in laughter the heart may sorrow” (Proverbs 14:13).
Paul encourages us to “comfort one another and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). He also reminds us to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). We cannot do either of these things if we fail to look beyond the surface. The next time someone crosses your path, stranger or friend, take a closer look. Just because they are smiling does not mean they are happy. Ask the Lord to give you a tender heart and the opportunity to show compassion when needed.
06/28/2021
Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief. (Proverbs 14:13)
People-watching is one of my favorite pastimes. Back in the day when people went to shopping malls instead of Amazon.com to make purchases, I would enjoy sitting on a mall bench and observing my fellow shoppers as they hustled and bustled about. I tried to guess what each person was doing based on their expressions, the pace of their walk, or other visible signs.
Sometimes, I would have imaginary conversations with myself about someone as they passed by. “Look at that guy. He’s probably trying frantically to buy a present for his wife whose birthday is today, and he forgot about it until the last minute.” Or “Check out that lady with all those packages. I bet she never met a credit card she didn’t like!”
Although we should know better, we all tend to look at others and make snap judgments. This is because we are conditioned to look at the surface. Seldom do we take the time to look beyond someone’s clothes, or expressions, or packages, or appearance to see what might really be there. Behind every face is a soul, and within every soul are needs, and hurts, and burdens.
Christians, of all people, should be able to overcome superficiality in our relationships and take the time to show genuine compassion. After all, we know what it is like to have all pretense stripped away and come empty-handed to the cross looking for forgiveness and eternal life. “Nothing in my hand I bring! Simply to the cross I cling!”
There is a harshness to hasty characterizations about others. By contrast, there is a tenderness to showing compassion. Why not ask, “Why is this guy rushing so frantically? I wonder what is going on in his life.” Or “Is it possible this lady is buying gifts for the children down at the women’s center?” In some cases, if we will look through the lens of a tender heart, we may see sorrow in disguise. The Bible reminds us that “even in laughter the heart may sorrow” (Proverbs 14:13).
Paul encourages us to “comfort one another and edify one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). He also reminds us to “rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). We cannot do either of these things if we fail to look beyond the surface. The next time someone crosses your path, stranger or friend, take a closer look. Just because they are smiling does not mean they are happy. Ask the Lord to give you a tender heart and the opportunity to show compassion when needed.
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