The Art of Loving Unconditionally without Limits.
Have you ever wished the world would have more compassion, that you would have more compassion, or that those you love would be more compassionate?
Of all the biblical characters we know, not one has matched the compassion of Jesus, and we are supposed to be like him. There are so many days when we are anything but, like the day James and John suggested calling “fire down from heaven to consume” the Samaritans who refused to welcome them into their village (Luke 9:54–55). Jesus’s rebuke was possibly more than enough to ever have them suggest the like again.
Thinking of our own comfort is secondary to demonstrating the unconditional love we have inside us for our fellow man.
True compassion changes hearts and lives, breaks down walls, and makes friendships and communities stronger.
Paul Borthwick, in his book Great Commission, Great Compassion, argues that the Great Commission goes hand in hand with what he calls the “Great Compassion” (based on Matthew 25). He says that living out the Great Commission involves both proclamation and demonstration of the gospel, which includes acts of compassion, such as healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the distressed.
As Christian counselors, we agree, but how do we get to the place where compassion flows out of us naturally at home, at work, at church, and everywhere we go?
The Art of Loving Unconditionally without Limits.
Have you ever wished the world would have more compassion, that you would have more compassion, or that those you love would be more compassionate?
Of all the biblical characters we know, not one has matched the compassion of Jesus, and we are supposed to be like him. There are so many days when we are anything but, like the day James and John suggested calling “fire down from heaven to consume” the Samaritans who refused to welcome them into their village (Luke 9:54–55). Jesus’s rebuke was possibly more than enough to ever have them suggest the like again.
Thinking of our own comfort is secondary to demonstrating the unconditional love we have inside us for our fellow man.
True compassion changes hearts and lives, breaks down walls, and makes friendships and communities stronger.
Paul Borthwick, in his book Great Commission, Great Compassion, argues that the Great Commission goes hand in hand with what he calls the “Great Compassion” (based on Matthew 25). He says that living out the Great Commission involves both proclamation and demonstration of the gospel, which includes acts of compassion, such as healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the distressed.
As Christian counselors, we agree, but how do we get to the place where compassion flows out of us naturally at home, at work, at church, and everywhere we go?
The Art of Loving Unconditionally without Limits.
Have you ever wished the world would have more compassion, that you would have more compassion, or that those you love would be more compassionate?
Of all the biblical characters we know, not one has matched the compassion of Jesus, and we are supposed to be like him. There are so many days when we are anything but, like the day James and John suggested calling “fire down from heaven to consume” the Samaritans who refused to welcome them into their village (Luke 9:54–55). Jesus’s rebuke was possibly more than enough to ever have them suggest the like again.
Thinking of our own comfort is secondary to demonstrating the unconditional love we have inside us for our fellow man.
True compassion changes hearts and lives, breaks down walls, and makes friendships and communities stronger.
Paul Borthwick, in his book Great Commission, Great Compassion, argues that the Great Commission goes hand in hand with what he calls the “Great Compassion” (based on Matthew 25). He says that living out the Great Commission involves both proclamation and demonstration of the gospel, which includes acts of compassion, such as healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the distressed.
As Christian counselors, we agree, but how do we get to the place where compassion flows out of us naturally at home, at work, at church, and everywhere we go?
The Essence of Compassion
Empathy is about picking up the feelings of others, such as pain, anxiety, or sadness, while compassion is about doing something to relieve it, such as helping with daily tasks, providing a listening ear, and prayer.
Christians have a higher tendency to activate compassion than non-Christians, according to The MacArthur Foundation’s MIDUS study, of which 8.9 percent of Christians stated that Jesus was their main inspiration for helping others. Between activities like food banks, delivering meals to the elderly, offering emotional support to those going through difficult times, and charitable giving, we can feel as if we are doing what Jesus called us to and acting out the Great Compassion.
Jesus told us to “go into al the world,” and that doesn’t mean he’s telling us to get a passport; it means that we should always be ready to understand first and act kindly second, no matter where we are. Healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the distressed can be much closer to home than we think as it can mean comforting a sick spouse, feeding a child’s friends, or comforting an upset grocery store worker.
Mercy: The Heart of Compassion
Mercy and compassion can go hand in hand, with mercy being about continuing to be kind and forgiving someone who others might choose to punish or cause harm. It’s about extending grace and understanding when it doesn’t necessarily make sense to do so.
Jesus often talked about mercy in his parables, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan who showed kindness to a man of another faith and made sure he was provided food and shelter until he had healed from his attack. He wants us to do the same for any person in need, not just those in our church family.
People, especially strangers, are often surprised by mercy, for good reason. The woman who touched the hem of Jesus’s robe expected to be punished, but Jesus healed her in response.
May we be similar instruments of mercy rather than punishment.
Mercy can be hard when you are filled with rage or you are so full of pain that you find it difficult to focus on anyone else’s needs. Sometimes this pain has lasted years, and you are tired of giving and getting nothing in return, or you are even abused because of your kindness.
Showing mercy does not mean tolerating abuse. Counseling can help you set healthy boundaries if this is happening to you, and by choosing to place the responsibility for the abuse square on your abuser’s shoulders, you can actually help them to grow.
Call us for an appointment if you’d like to set healthy boundaries for yourself—boundaries that are based on Scripture and that help you grow even more into the person God designed you to be.
If you keep avoiding them, it can affect your physical health with symptoms like chest pain, anxiety, depression, and blood circulation issues. Focusing on recovery with the help of a licensed pastoral counselor is always a healthy approach.
Your heart hurts because you loved, and that is never something to be ashamed of. Allow yourself to cry, to feel anger, to appreciate the good times you had together, and to grieve what once was. Feeling your emotions is never a sign of weakness but of courage. It is what will begin your journey of healing.
Compassion in Counseling
Jesus never treated those around him as if he were more important than them. Surprisingly, he was humble. Everyone’s words and acts mattered to him. When he healed someone, he didn’t stand back and invite the crowd to applaud him. When he spoke to the woman at the well, he didn’t tall fifteen people later that he spoke to one of “them.”
This is part of our mission as Christian counselors—we are here to serve you and help you heal and strengthen your relationship with God. That’s it! We will listen, value your thoughts and opinions, and work with you to help meet your emotional needs in a way that leaves you feeling more connected to God than ever.
Your needs and well-being are our priority, and we want you to feel affirmed and worthy of care in an unbiased setting, whether that is in the comfort of your own home vis a video session or in person at our Round Rock office.
The Role of Compassionate Love in Relationships
Practicing compassion with each other has its challenges. If we are compassionate and giving and receiving little in return, we can face emotional burnout if we neglect our own emotional needs. This can lead us to feeling exhausted and not caring about the other person much.
Another challenge is when our partner is resistant or indifferent to our compassion, leaving us feeling little hope of change. This is why self-care and setting healthy boundaries are so important.
- Take time to rest and recharge.
- Seek support from like-minded individuals for encouragement and wisdom.
- Prevent feelings of isolation by joining a home group or support group.
- Stay patient and persistent, recognizing that change often takes time.
- Mix compassionate acts into the daily routine.
Purposefully being more compassionate helps you feel more connected and tunes you in better to how your spouse is feeling, what they need, and what they are going through. When you practice compassion consistently, it can encourage your spouse and others to respond with kindness and generosity.
How wonderful is it that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~ Anne Frank
Compassion as a Way of Life
Jesus’s compassion, mercy, humility, and acts of service saved the world, and every small act of compassion we do can make a difference too.
When we prioritize and commit to understanding and addressing the needs of others, we make our friendships and relationships more about giving than receiving, more about generosity rather than thinking about what we are “owed” in return. This, along with mutual respect, helps with leaving everyone feeling valued and supported.
No matter where your friendship or relationship is right now, compassion can make a difference. Christian counseling can help you find ways to step out of your comfort zone, extend a helping hand, and shape a more loving and connected way of life.
Book your introductory session, either in-office in Round Rock, Texas, or by video, with one of Head to Heart’s pastoral counselors. By working with a professional, you can become the compassionate person you desire to be and maintain healthy boundaries at the same time.