In a world of sorrow, trial, and disappointment the human heart cries out for sympathy and understanding. This is illustrated in a story I once heard about a little girl who accidentally caught her finger in the swinging door or her father’s study. He dad was a very busy man, often preoccupied with his work, so he paid little attention to her crying. He interrupted what he was doing just long enough to call downstairs to his wife and say, “You’d better come up here and look after your child.” The mother came quickly, took the sobbing girl in her arms, and planted a tender kiss on her forehead. While she massaged the aching finger, she asked, “Does it hurt so badly, dear?” “Yes, Mommy,” said the child through her tears, “but the worst is Daddy didn’t even say, ‘Oh!’”
How important for us to show compassion and understanding when someone is hurting! The sorrows of life are so much worse if no one helps bear the pain. That’s why we should be quick to give a warm handclasp or to empathize when someone we know faces a bitter trial. O that we might be more like our lovely Lord, whose heart was filled with compassion whenever He saw human need! Of Him the Bible declares, “In all their affliction He was afflicted” (Isaiah 63:9).
Do you make it a point to call upon the sick and bereaved, and to weep with those who weep? (Romans 12:15). The love of Christ should make us “kindly affectionate to one another” (Romans 12:10). Let’s not forget that the world is dying for a little bit of love. – Henry G. Bosch
People need your sympathy,
Your words of comfort sweet;
You’ll find those people if you look –
Perhaps they’re on your street. – Anon.
We can measure our likeness to Christ by our sensitivity to the sufferings of others.
- June 6, 1985, Our Daily Bread
For You 