How can I be more empathetic?
Job 2:11-13When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. . . . When they saw Job . . . they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.
Empathy isn’t about solving a problem—it’s about coming alongside someone. Sometimes, a silence that says “I’m here” is all that a hurting person needs.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
The more we experience the empathy of God, the source of all mercy and comfort, the more we will be equipped to show empathy to others.
Philippians 2:1Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?
1 Peter 1:22You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.
1 John 3:18Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
The more we realize our desperate need for God’s mercy, the more we will understand the power of showing mercy to others. Recognizing our need for God’s compassion moves us to act with compassion toward others.
Jeremiah 9:1If only my head were a pool of water and my eyes a fountain of tears, I would weep day and night for all my people who have been slaughtered.
Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Empathy involves vulnerability. It isn’t a detached understanding of something. It involves a shared emotion. Sometimes, empathy requires opening ourselves to others’ pain and sadness.
Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
1 Corinthians 12:26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
Being empathetic is more than just being concerned about the troubles of others. It involves moving to help them in their times of need.
Luke 6:31“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”
We should help others in ways that we would like to be helped. When we don’t know what to do, we should consider what we would need from someone when experiencing a similar situation.
Matthew 5:44“I [Jesus] say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
We can show empathy by praying for others, even our enemies.
Luke 10:36-37“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
We can demonstrate Jesus’ way of empathy by helping anyone who is in need—not just the people we like and are comfortable being around. Jews and Samaritans were enemies, yet in Jesus’ parable, the Good Samaritan goes out of his way to help the Jewish man in need. Jesus calls us to do the same.
