How To Be Compassionate

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ~ Romans 12:15

Recently I was asked, “In your opinion, what is the most important quality a person ought to have?” After some thought, I answered, “being compassionate.” Being a compassionate person means you are able to put yourself in another person’s place and feel what they feel. If they are hurting, you feel their pain. If they are rejoicing, you feel their joy. If they feel lonely, you feel their loneliness, etc.

If you are a compassionate person you will also have many other positive characteristics.

 A compassionate person is…

1. An empathetic person

2. A person of integrity

3. A good listener

4. A kind person

5. A caring/affectionate person

6. A selfless person

7. An understanding person

But how do we become a tenderhearted and merciful person? Can we learn to be compassionate or is it something that we are born with?

Although the environment and family we grow up in is critical in molding our character, I believe there is no better role model for us to learn compassion from than Jesus Christ.

The more time you spend with Jesus, reading His Word, the closer to His character you will become. Your convictions will be stronger, pulling at your heart strings to feel and act the way He would.

Spending time with Jesus will produce compassion within so that you will feel a burden for the world around you. In John 15:4 Jesus says, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”  This is a simple but powerful verse. As Christians, it is vital that we stay in an intimate relationship with Jesus so that we can think and feel the way He does. 

It is not enough to be compassionate. You must also be intentional. (Tweet this).

Here are some practical action steps we can do to show tenderness and care for others:

1. A simple phone call

If you know someone is struggling emotionally, physically, and/or spiritually a phone call asking them how they are doing can change a lot. It shows that you care, and sometimes that’s enough.

2. Praying with someone

Praying right on the spot is a good habit to form. It is so much more powerful than telling someone that you will pray for them.

Just do it- pray immediately with the other person. There is great comfort in praying over someone.

I remember in my darkest days as a non believer going to a local church out of my desperation, brokenness and pain. I would sit in the very last pew in the balcony because I was so wounded. and I had so much pain. I didn’t know Jesus personally. But on a friends recommendation I started attending a local church. What I remember the most from those days were the people, strangers at that time, that would come up to me (because I was usually crying) and ask me if they could pray for me. I felt Jesus’s love through the prayers of these strangers. This was love I had never experienced before. It comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pray over others as often as possible. Make it a habit. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but with practice it won’t.

3. Giving a hug

There is strength in physical affection.

When someone is in a bad place, there is power in a simple hug. Just ask, “Can I give you a hug?” (However, I suggest you stick to the same sex hugging. It’s wiser to do so).

4. Learning to listen well

Listening to others is one of the most loving acts we can do. Most of us, however, seem to hear our own voices more than we enjoy listening.

Be intentional about really listening to others.

Make others feel special by giving good eye contact while they share their heart with you.  Along with good eye contact, your body language is also important when you are conversing with someone.

5. Being genuine

Having a sincere willingness to hear what others are going through is one of the most critical parts of being a compassionate person. People can intuitively sense when others are being genuine or not.

The only way you will be authentic, however, is if your walk with the Lord is authentic.

When we are compassionate we are the most like Jesus. Jesus often felt compassion for others (Matthew 9:36), and it led Him to action. We bring great glory to God when we behave as His hands and feet, when we genuinely have compassion on those He has placed in our lives.

It’s our responsibility to represent Jesus accurately. It’s also a privilege and an honor to do so. Take the first step and spend daily time with Him.

May His love in you overflow with compassion for others.

Leave me a comment below on what you feel is the biggest challenge in being a compassionate person.