Why Compassion Is So Important

 By: Paula Short

Let's face it everywhere you go, you hear about either being more, doing more, or buying more. Sometimes "busy" seems so normal to us. Self-care flounders and spending time with others is minimal at best.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4— NIV

But wait, there are benefits to showing compassion.

Compassion boosts our well-being. There are many benefits of showing compassion both for yourself and, likewise, for others:

For Yourself

• You feel good about yourself.
• You have a softer, gentler, kinder demeanor.
• Compassion opens your heart.
• It enlarges your perspective.

For Others

• You let them know they are not alone.
• Other people feel hope at being related to and understood.
• You model for others how to treat people.
• You create a ripple effect of compassion that affects many people.

What About You

Showing yourself compassion allows you to take care of your own needs by being kind and gentle to yourself when you fall short. As humans, we sure do fall short; We make mistakes, forget things, lose our cool, and overreact.  

What About Others

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."   

Colossians 3:12— NIV

Showing compassion allows us to make a difference in someone else's life. People need to know we understand and are there for them. 

Loving and supporting others is the encouragement someone needs to help them move through a tough time or struggle in their life.

When we offer compassion to others, we feel good about ourselves and make a difference to them. Let's not forget Jesus felt and related to all of our emotions. He faced a lot of mean people along the way. But— He is our ultimate role model; watching the way he shows compassion shows us how to show it. 

Reflection

How can we show compassion as Jesus did?

Recall a time when someone showed you compassion that totally touched your heart?Now, recall a time you showed compassion to someone else that made both their and your heart smile?