Compassion

Compassion

If you look up compassion in the dictionary, you will see the following definition: Deep awareness of the suffering of

another coupled with the wish to relieve it. The construct of compassion is not clearly defined in psychological literature.

We define compassion as a feeling of sorrow or concern for another person's suffering or need accompanied by a

subsequent desire to alleviate the suffering. Compassion is an emotion: a short-lived feeling that anyone may experience.

We expect, however, that there are specific conditions in which people will be more likely to feel compassion, that there

are differences in individual feelings of compassion, and that many people and cultures may view compassion as a basic

human value.

If I see someone in pain or someone struggling, my first instinct is to help, to listen, to be there. I will be there if someone

needs help, if someone needs an ear, if someone just needs someone to acknowledge that they're here and that their gripe

is valid. I would rather live like that. It doesn't always make life easier though.

The Bible tells us of the compassionate acts that Jesus performed and His teachings about this topic. Jesus extends mercy

and compassion to us for our bodily needs and specifically uses them to show His great power to overcome these weaknesses.

We are more aware of our physical circumstances than we are of our spiritual conditions. Although we naturally reject