“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 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
It happens every single time we are in the car and see someone holding a cardboard sign on a street corner. “Mommy, why do they stand there and ask for help? Can we give them something? How can they get some money or a job?” Both of my children have what many people would call “bleeding hearts.” They cannot stand to see others suffering, and they want to come up with solutions to help everyone. If my daughter sees someone who looks upset or stressed, her immediate reaction is to give them a hug. Where does this instinct come from? This seems to come so naturally for children, but adult hearts are often more hardened and cynical after years of struggle and disappointment. In a world that can seem so calloused and self-centered, how do we respond in a way that demonstrates love?
One of the most difficult things we encounter in life is how to cope with grief and stress. When times get tough, people instinctively search for something to ease the pain or lighten the load. We just want something – anything – that will make us feel better, and Satan is more than willing to provide cheap substitutes that will momentarily fool us into thinking we’ve got it under control. Peter tells us “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). We are the most vulnerable when we are hurting. So, what trait of the I AM can we draw from to reach the hearts of those who seek comfort?
The compassion of the I AM is mentioned many times throughout scripture. Psalm 103 tells us He is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love... As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” In Matthew 9:36, we are told when Jesus saw the crowds, “He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd,” and similar examples can be found in chapters 14, 15, and 20. The I AM came down and lived among us, fully human, enduring the physical, mental, and emotional strains that come with our earthly limitations. His willingness to suffer as we do shows the extent of His love for us.
How, then, do we extend this love and compassion to those around us? In his letter to the Colossians, Paul instructs the church “as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” When we turn to the I AM in difficult times, He provides a comfort and peace that goes beyond our understanding. He does not hammer us with advice or tell us to get over it. We are not yelled at from the heavens or told to hurry up and move on. He comforts us in all of our troubles, which then allows us to extend that same comfort to others.
So go ahead and give the hugs. Lend an ear. Offer comfort. Be brave enough to have the compassionate, bleeding heart.
“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matt. 10:8b)