Written by Rachel Baker, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
I’m sure this is a familiar scene to most of us:
A tired mom is working her way through the grocery store with her children, trying her best to remember everything that is on her list while managing the chaos around her…
And at least one of her kids is screaming and crying all the way through the store.
For those who have never raised children or spent long periods of time caring for them, it’s easy to think, “Good grief, what is wrong with that woman? If that was my kid, they would not be allowed to act like that. She needs to get control of her kids.”
Have you ever had an attitude like that towards others? Or maybe heard a similar response from someone else?
If you, however, have found yourself in a similar situation, you know the stress and emotions that come along with it. You know what led up to that moment in your day, you know that you were doing your absolute best to get through the experience, and you know the embarrassment you felt as another tiny human acted in a way that was completely beyond your control.
How does that affect your attitude towards this precious mother? Maybe you’re more inclined to offer a smile or a word of encouragement as you pass. You might even offer a high five and say something like, “You’re doing great, Mom. You’ve got this.”
When we can relate to others and truly feel empathy towards them and their situation, our attitudes are completely redefined by our understanding and experiences. We are more gracious, merciful, forgiving, and compassionate towards those who are hurting when we know the struggle they are experiencing in a personal way.
"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 (NIV)
The scenario above is much easier to relate to for those who have actually experienced that same situation, but that doesn’t mean others cannot also be compassionate when they see this mother struggling through her day. We have all struggled in different ways, and we know the relief that is felt when we receive comfort from others. More importantly, we know the blessing of receiving comfort from a gracious God in all our troubles.
When you see others having a hard day or dealing with a situation that you think should be handled in a different way, how do you respond? Are you willing to offer that word of encouragement or a smile of comfort instead of judging what only your eyes can see?
How can we encourage one another to remain gracious and compassionate towards others in our daily life?
"Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble."
1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)