Question 1

What is sympathy?

Accepted Answer

2 Samuel 10:2David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun just as his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent ambassadors to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death.Job 2:11When 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. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.Job 16:4-5“I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you. But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.”Job 30:25“Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?”Ecclesiastes 4:10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.Isaiah 58:7Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.John 11:18-19Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss.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.Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.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.Showing sympathy for others involves putting ourselves in their shoes. We allow whatever affects them to affect us; whatever they feel, we also come to feel. This enables us to show compassion toward others when they are hurting and to rejoice with them when they are happy.

Question 2

Does God really sympathize with me in my time of need?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 22:26-27“If you take your neighbor’s cloak as security for a loan, you must return it before sunset. This coat may be the only blanket your neighbor has. How can a person sleep without it? If you do not return it and your neighbor cries out to me for help, then I will hear, for I am merciful.”Deuteronomy 10:18“He [the Lord] ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.”Judges 2:18Whenever the Lord raised up a judge over Israel, he was with that judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. For the Lord took pity on his people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering.Psalm 9:9The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.Psalm 68:3-6His name is the Lord—rejoice in his presence! Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.Psalm 72:12-14He [the Lord] will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him.Psalm 91:15When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.Psalm 103:13The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.Isaiah 40:1-2“Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.”Isaiah 63:9In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.Isaiah 66:13“I will comfort you there in Jerusalem as a mother comforts her child.”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.2 Corinthians 7:6God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.There is no trouble that comes to us without the watchful eye of our heavenly Father seeing it and sympathizing with us. Just knowing he cares is often the beginning of our healing.Matthew 9:36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.Matthew 14:14Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.Matthew 20:34Jesus felt sorry for them and touched their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.Luke 7:13When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said.John 11:35Then Jesus wept.Hebrews 4:15This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.The life of Jesus is a story of tender compassion toward those in need. There is no temptation, hurt, or pain that comes into our lives that does not touch his sympathetic heart.Hebrews 2:14-18It was necessary for him [Jesus] to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.Hebrews 5:2He [Jesus] is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses.Jesus became human so that he could sympathize with our every need, including our need for strength against temptation.

Question 3

Why is being sympathetic important?

Accepted Answer

Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.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 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.To be sympathetic or tenderhearted toward others is a mark of being like Jesus, which is the goal and calling of every Christian. If we find ourselves lacking in compassion toward others, particularly believers, we should consider ourselves in need of God’s help in that area.Mark 2:1-5When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”1 Corinthians 9:22When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.Being sympathetic with people in need creates opportunities for us to introduce them to Jesus so they can experience the physical and spiritual healing he offers. This was true for the paralyzed man in this account. Without his four sympathetic friends, he never would have made his way to Jesus. His friends made it possible for this man not only to walk again, but also to meet Jesus and find freedom from his sin.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.Being sympathetic toward others and showing them God’s comfort creates opportunities for many to lift praise to God for the comfort they have received.Philippians 2:1-2Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.1 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.Being sympathetic involves understanding and appreciating everyone’s unique needs and gifts so we can all work in harmony. Lacking in this area tends to provoke questions about the reality of our faith.

Question 4

How can I show sympathy to others?

Accepted Answer

Job 30:25“Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?”Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.2 Corinthians 11:29Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?Hebrews 10:33Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things.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.1 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.We show sympathy to others by first feeling deeply what they are going through. A sympathetic heart and mind will more naturally reach out to help people in their need.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. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, 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.Job 16:2“I have heard all this before. What miserable comforters you are!”2 Timothy 1:16-17May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me.We show sympathy to others simply by being there. Long-winded explanations and clever clichés are rarely comforting. Love and sympathy are often demonstrated best by our silent and loving presence. That is what is most urgently needed.John 11:19Many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss.2 Corinthians 1:4He [God] 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.We often show sympathy to others by sharing words of sympathy and encouragement, and by being present in their grief.Job 42:11Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring.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.”James 1:27Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.1 John 3:18Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.We often show sympathy to others by helping them in tangible ways. Showing sympathy involves more than just thoughts and feelings; it also involves actions. Small practical actions like providing warm blankets, coffee, and meals, or taking care of someone’s chores, can bring profound healing to a person’s life.

Question 5

How do I become more sympathetic?

Accepted Answer

Luke 6:31“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”Philippians 2:1-4Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.Loving others is the foundation for becoming more sympathetic. It is love that keeps our hearts tender and sincere as we comfort others. We should ask God’s Spirit to awaken our capacity for loving compassion.Exodus 23:9“You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt.”Leviticus 19:33-34“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”Remembering our own painful life experiences can help awaken our sympathy for others. It is easier to commiserate with others when we have walked a similar path.Leviticus 23:22“When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. Leave it for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God.”Isaiah 58:7Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.Our sympathy grows as we intentionally notice the needs of others and are purposeful in getting to know them.1 Samuel 1:6So Peninnah would taunt Hannah and make fun of her because the Lord had kept her from having children.Our sympathy grows as we listen with understanding to hurting people and don’t minimize their hurts. A sympathetic heart and mind is a listening heart and mind.

Sympathy