It was really ironic that I posted about compassion vs. empathy earlier this week. Last night at my church age group's weekly small group, an unsolicited topic arose that allowed a group of mixed backgrounds, different relationship statuses (single, married, dating), and mixed experiences to come together and maybe get a glimpse of the other side of the fence.
When someone cares enough to say "look, I have NO idea what you are going through, but I WANT to know how you feel, I want to know what it's like, I want to know how I can pray for you and encourage you." Wow, that just really touches the heart. I am so thankful to have friends who do care. Even if they don't "get it", they take the time to talk it through, to listen, to do their best to understand, to offer Biblical encouragement.
I think people (including myself) are so afraid of stepping out of their comfort zone to learn potentially uncomfortable things about other people. Maybe it's because we don't think we know how to help someone, or what to say to them, or how we can help? When empathy isn't earned through personal experience, we have two choices: to shut that person out and write it off as "oh I'll never understand so and so", or we can learn, listen, and talk through someone else's situation- a blessing for both parties! How can we reach people, touch lives, and encourage one another if we are not taking the time to learn about and love the people God places in our lives?
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