In 2006, a song was released that talks about compassion. Everyone Needs Compassion! How about you? Do you need compassion for what you are going through? Maybe you need mercy, kindness, hope . . . and maybe even a sincere hug. Perhaps you think your “mountain-of-a-problem” can’t be moved. Or it’s impossible to be healed from your losses.

The Cry For Compassion

For centuries, people have cried out for compassion. Many folks have suffered significantly. Individuals, nations, big people, small people, old people, young people – all have had tormentors, severe losses, broken health, damaged relationship, inadequate basic provisions, lost dreams and pursuits, and so much more.

In fact, just remembering this reality helps when going through “light and momentary troubles” that don’t even register on the same scale as suffering some others have had. 2 Cor. 4:17 says – for everyone, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” “Them all” refers to all the troubles a person is bearing up under. Stress. Grief. Pain. Trials. Deep discouragement. For some – torture.

Interestingly, the verse right before says, “. . . we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Now, how would a person be renewed day by day in terrible times? I think it’s because of Jesus and His compassion? And that has a ring of mercy, kindness, hope.

Still, suffering is suffering. Jesus cares about the big stuff and the little stuff. And He wants to help in every scenario. Why? Because He really does care about everything – deeply.

Scripture says, “May Your compassion come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need (we are brought very low).” (Ps. 79:8) The psalmist is crying out for help! And he’s pouring out his heart to God. He is literally verbalizing his situation to God, how it’s affecting him, how he feels about it all, and how desperately he needs God’s help.

God wants you to you cry out for compassion to Him. He wants you to involve Him in all details of your life. In other words, He wants a real and authentic relationship with you, down to the nitty-gritty. The Lord truly and sincerely cares about your details. No one will ever care and have compassion like Jesus does continually.

Keep It Real And Sincere

Having said that God cares deeply, urging you to bring it all – the whole package – to Him, I am going to add a qualifier with 8 points.

1. First, God is not unhealthy. Nor is He in any way co-dependent. Your pouring out to Him needs to be constructive, not self-focused or victimizing yourself.
2. Second, God expects you to be authentic, responsible, and willing. In other words, healthy even in your stress and troubles.
3. Third, God cares more about your wholistic health than your comfort level. He wants you to grow into maturity and godly responses, even in your sufferings in the same way His beloved Son, Jesus, modeled daily when He was on earth.
4. Fourth, God is sincere in His compassion for all your struggles. He takes them seriously and wants to help. And He does comfort you in your troubles – if you let Him.
5. Fifth, He wants you to trust Him enough to accept His compassion with eager expectation in this broken world. It will not look like you hoped.
6. Sixth, this world is temporary. So live with that in mind. You were created for eternity. So, live for the line, not just the dot!
7. Seventh, Jesus is making all things new. It will be made right – like creation was intended. You will live forever with awe that it could ever be so good! God intended His reality from the beginning before mankind fell away from Him.
8. Finally, here is an excellent word of encouragement from the passage we quoted earlier. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:18)

 

Compassion Takes Action

God scans the earth to strengthen those who put faith in Him – no matter what. (2 Chron. 16:9) Even when they can’t explain or understand, they simply trust and obey. Here’s an interesting Scripture that talks about such people.

Heb. 11:16 says that people who respond to God in full confidence – even in terrible sufferings and persecutions. “. . . they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

Whenever you see the word “therefore,” stop and ask what it’s there for. Look at this verse. It’s astonishing. God is not ashamed of these people who trust Him against all odds. Why? Because those folks are already living in the reality of the better country God is preparing for them. They know God is with them in their current sufferings. And they know He is helping, working in the details, providing strength and hope.

BUT – they are even more interested in the coming reality. So much so, they have chosen to “live in it now” by faith! Let this sink in! This is a game-changer for everyday living.

Your Response Decides The Level Of Compassion

We speed the process of receiving God’s compassion by engaging it with all our hearts. We block/hinder it by focusing on doubts and lost dreams instead of God. Compassion from Jesus is immediate for the person who opens up to receive with a child’s faith – without questions having to be answered first.

For the person who insists on realizing their dreams or satisfying their doubts first, receiving compassion never becomes reality.

Repeating woes, grief, and doubts in your head only puts barriers in place so compassion is blocked. However, choosing to respond by opening up to compassion starts a whole new way of living. It looks like this.

Your Best Response

1. Come to God with eager expectation instead of skepticism.
2. Agree with God, no matter what your scenario. He doesn’t change and is not limited by your situation.
3. Bring your troubles – woes, grief, and doubts to Jesus. Tell Him all about it – like the psalmist. Give Him your burdens that literally block your ability to receive His compassion.
4. Open to receive from Him – by faith.
5. Get up in faith and obey what He instructs.
6. Rejoice! Even before you see any results – rejoice. It is God’s will that you “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess.5:18)

Conclusion

God has deep compassion for you in any situation you are in. He loves you deeply and wants to help. However, it is your response back to God that determines whether or not you will receive His deep and rich compassion. You have the power to receive it – or to block it. Which will it be for you?

Application Questions And Thoughts

1. First, do you have any expectation, even a bit, where you expect God to act like a co-dependent in your troubles? Is your out-pouring constructive, or victim-like?
2. Second, are you authentic, responsible, and willing. In other words, healthy.
3. Third, do you join God in caring about your wholistic health more than your comfort level. Do you want to grow, even in sufferings?
4. Fourth, do you believe God is sincere in compassion for all your struggles and wants to help?
5. Fifth, do you trust Him enough to accept His love and help even though it looks different than you hoped?
6. Sixth, are you living, remembering this world is temporary?
7. Seventh, do you believe Jesus is making all things new?
8. Finally, are you fixing your eyes on what is seen or unseen? Temporary or eternal?

 

SEE THE SONG LYRICS BELOW – AND CHECK IT OUT ON YOU TUBE!

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The Song – Everyone Needs Compassion (Mighty To Save)

These lyrics contain perspective, a balanced approach to life, hope, and worship.