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Good evening. Compassion is defined as:

“A deep awareness of and sympathy for another’s suffering; the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it.”

Key words being “awareness; wanting to do something about it.” That translates to “relating to with the desire to help.” Nowhere does the definition say anything about “relieving” the suffering. We can help, but ultimately, God relieves! Help vs. Relief.

Speaking from experience, it’s easy to get those mixed up. I’m convinced that I’m one of the most compassionate people on this earth. I have many flaws, but loyalty and compassion (and goofiness) are 3 traits that I don’t struggle with. I know these 3 characteristics of me and while they are essentially good for the most part, they can also be destructive. Just a few short years ago, my compassionate self got my role and God’s role twisted. If someone was hurting and I resonated with them, I was so compassionate to the point that I hosted the pitty party and then convinced me and them that I could make it right. Oh and I was mentioning God, but mentioning Him was about it. Never once did I turn anything over to Him nor encouraged the hurting to turn anything over to Him. Needless to say, more damage was done by my big ol compassionate self than life itself.

But God. That was then; this is now.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not sharing this out cockiness or arrogance, but rather as a testimony to the fact that there will be times when we can relate so much with a person that our desire to help them, hurts them. It’s rather tricky, but when in doubt, seek God. You may have the means and the wherewithal to seemingly put an end to whatever grief, hurt, or burdens that they’re facing at that particular moment, but giving them relief without giving them God deems your assistance only as temporary relief. You failed. I failed. We all fail until we say, “sister or brother, because of what God has done for me, I can help you.” It is then when good works and compassion meets faith. It is then when you, yourself genuinely start to feel purposeful within the Kingdom of God. It is only then when God gets the glory that is only due to Him.

So, next time someone walks out of your life, in the midst of the hurt and before you run after them, give it to God. He can catch up with them just as He caught up with you. Next time someone seeks help from you, be compassionate and if directed, give but before you give, introduce them to the God that gave to you.

My pastor said today that we can run around “doing stuff” and work until we grow tired, but the only reason we quickly grow tired is because we are doing all of the running around within our own might. Same with relationships and people. We get fed up, feel unappreciated, and frustrated because often we go far beyond the boundary of compassion. We go far beyond the reality of giving it to God. We hinder their salvation and growth and limit our contribution in advancing the Kingdom.

Peace – Kimberly