Joy of Compassion

 

    Life can be challenging, inspiring, infuriating, annoying, and more.  you do not live in a bubble.  It is not always easy to hold onto your joy.  It takes compassion.  You have to get to the point where compassion is a part of who you are.  It take training for your mind to automatically go to compassion instead of judgment or anger when people act certain ways.

    Compassion is a Biblical virtue.  When we display compassion we are imitating Jesus.  Jesus said if you love me, then you will obey me like I obey my father.  Do not suppress or express your negative emotions.  Instead extend compassion to stop feeding your negative emotions.  You don't have to look for the source of their pain to know they are a source of your pain.  Your compassion is how you protect your mental and emotional health.  

    None of us deserve God's compassion, but He gives it to us freely.  The source of your pain may not deserve compassion, but giving it frees you.  It may even lead them to Jesus.  Instead of casting judgment, pray for them.  Look at who you are.  Are you really any better than them?

    You can increase your compassion by caring about people.  You care when you want to know more and become curious about their lives.  This can help you replace your negative thoughts with positive thoughts toward that person(s). 

    Another way is to remember most outburst  are conditioned responses that they have.  You are not the source, but you may be a trigger.  They need to work on themselves, you don't need to try to fix them, so don't allow them to rattle you.

    A third way to become more compassionate is realize everyone has stress and tension in their lives.  Not everyone knows how to deal with stress.  Don't shut down on them.  Instead work out your emotional muscle to become stronger and more resilient.  There will always be difficult people and you can't change them or that fact.  All you can do is protect your joy.  

Psalm 119:153-160, 145:8-13, Matthew 10:28-36, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:31-32, & Colossians 3:12-15