“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 have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
While teaching elementary school, my wife told me about a student she had been working with. He wasn’t a serious troublemaker, but because of emotional battles at home, he continually faced disciplinary struggles at school.
One afternoon, my wife and I were at the movies. As we walked out of the theater, up runs this little boy and hugs my wife.
“Hi Mrs. Pond! Did you like that movie?” I watched as they chatted and swapped smiles.
As we climbed into the car, an overwhelming wave of compassion hit me. I wept and wept. I couldn’t help it. I kept telling my wife, “It’s not his fault. It’s not his fault.” It was as if God was allowing me to feel the emotional pain this little boy had experienced.
What I experienced that afternoon was just a taste of the compassion God has for each of us. He knows exactly what we are going through. He hurts when we hurt. It pains him to see us struggle. But, our Father doesn’t just stop at compassion. He is moved to act upon that compassion by comforting you.
“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 have received from God.”1
This scripture has become my mission statement in life: to comfort people with the comfort I myself have been comforted with.
When I saw that little boy, I wanted to find out how we could get more involved with his life. I wanted him to know that people love him and care about him. I was moved with the compassion to act.
God is moved by his compassion towards you. Do you hear your Father’s heart? Do you hear him weeping with you? Do you hear him celebrating your victories with you? Ask him. You will hear that still, small voice say, “I am.”
Prayer: Father, I know that you care so much for us, your children. Help me to see others through your eyes–eyes of compassion. Help me to get involved when possible to help those who are in need. I desire to be moved with compassion.
