From Judgment to Compassion

Do you turn away from those in need, or are you the one who helps them?

It can be so easy to gossip about other people and judge them. All we can see about their lives is the actions they have decided to take. We often can’t see the heartache wrapped around their hearts or feel the hopelessness in their soul. In our eyes, we often just see the mistake or the sin, and neglect to see the person underneath the layers of pain.

One day, I watched a movie about a man who fractured his neck in a car accident and then became homeless because of it all. It broke my heart to witness his pain. One moment, he had it all, and in the next moment, he had lost it all. It triggered a new level of compassion in me. 

And made me think about what kind of person I want to be. Do I want to be the kind of person who turns away from someone in need? Or do I want to be the kind of person who follows my heart and tries to help?

In the movie, so many people turned him away. But there was one who helped him, and it changed the course of his life. So often we think we have to do something grand to help someone else, but it could be something simple. If we show up each day and ask God to allow us to help one person, can you imagine how great our lives could be?

The enemy wants us to look away when we see someone in need. He doesn’t want us to feel compassion or try to help them. He wants us to talk about them and put them down. But what they need is love and hope for a better day.

Love is the answer.

God wants us to love others right where they are in their lives. After all, He loves us right where we are. My sins are many. I fail and come short every day in some way, but that doesn’t stop God from loving me. 

People don’t need us to point fingers at their sins. They know what they’ve done. That is between them and God. It is our job to love them. A prayer and a kind word can go a long way to helping someone else.

I’ve sat alone—consumed by my pain. I’ve felt hopeless and helpless. And I’ve prayed for someone to help me. During the darkest times of my life, I have felt the presence of God. Sometimes, he just comes and sits with me, letting me know that I am not alone. And from the deepest pits of my sorrow, He reminds me that He loves me.

I want to be more like God. Every day, I want to follow my heart and look for someone who needs someone to care about them. I want to radiate God’s love and help at least one person a day. And when He blesses me to help someone, I want to praise Him for the opportunity, and then ask Him to give me one more.

John 13:34 KJV

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

If you enjoyed this, please share it with someone else. 

Categories: Uncategorized

Leave a Reply