Scripture of the Day
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NIV)
“Ministry of Empathy”
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
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Many of you have heard me say that the Ministry of Listening is very powerful! When we listen, we can process the needs of those who are hurting, sick, and lost! This will help you identify what prayers and petitions to bring before the FATHER! If someone is sick in their body physically, you would not fervently pray for their car to be paid off! By listening, you would know that they are concerned with their family’s strength to carry on without them! You would pray for their peace that surpasses all understanding! You would pray for every doctor and nurse! You would pray in the Holy Spirit, because you were listening in the Holy Spirit!
The same is true with the Ministry of Empathy. The official definition of empathy is, the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another. Plan and simple, empathy is to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. You may not be able to completely understand what someone is going through, but with an empathetic heart . . . you will still be able to listen with spiritual ears. Of course, I have never gone through giving birth to a child . . . but with an empathetic heart . . . I can listen with spiritual ears and lift prayers on behalf of my sisters in pain! There are many trials and tribulations that I have not experienced yet . . . but that doesn’t mean I can’t be empathetic towards my brothers and sisters. Too often, we will blame folks for their mistakes without realizing it could have been us! It could be us going through a financial burden, or a marital separation, or the sick child, or locked behind bars! I could be me or you in the same situation! Wouldn’t you want someone to listen with empathy?
Every last one of us have the potential of Ministering through empathy! Here is a key, when someone is in need of you listening, let them be able to look into the face of empathy! Be true to the commandment of “Love thy neighbor as thyself” How hard would you be on yourself in a time of need? If JESUS could have empathy for us (read definition again), then we can have empathy for one another!
Let’s Pray For One Another
1 comment:
I love how it was a matter of understanding that it didn't take a warrior to reach the weak, but someone who understood weakness. The writer is not saying that he is a people pleaser, but that he is a person who reaches out to all for the sake of the gospel! Jesus, is able to reach the sick, the weak, the strong, the rich, the poor, the saved, and the lost . . . just by being who he was . . . empathetic! I love the lord.
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