"Empathetic or Pathetic?!"

     A "Christian" without EMPATHY toward someone else who is in PAIN (of any kind) is PATHETIC (take the "EM" off of the front of the word, "EMPATHY," and you have the beginning of the word, "PATHETIC" - ha!)!  Here are a couple Bible verses on the subject:  Romans 12:15, 1 Corinthians 12:26.  {'EMPATHY' (em-pa-thy), (the dictionary meaning), (noun):  the ability to UNDERSTAND and SHARE the FEELINGS of another.}.  There is a wide variety of types of PAIN with which people deal.  Just because one person is ABLE to DO A LOT despite her pain, at this point in her life, does NOT mean that someone else shall automatically be ABLE to DO the SAME things as that person, at this point in HER life!  Maybe her pain is totally different, and possibly worse, or maybe, she is dealing with circumstances in her life that the other is not, that, make her "LOAD" heavier for her!  The variations of people's painful scenarios of life are endless!  If, each of US would simply keep our eyes on ourselves, and, quit worrying about what everyone else, is and/or isn't doing, comparing and competing with them, and bragging about everything we have done, then maybe, we would be so busy dealing with our own "stuff" that other people's business would be the least of our concerns?!  The reason that I am thinking about this subject this morning, is that, instead of waking up with the manifestation of the healing of my back (for which I continue to believe) a reality, I woke up, once AGAIN, with back pain, and, with it being BAD back pain at that!  I mean, I've woke up with back pain every single day of my life for around 30 years, but, some mornings are worse , or, better, than others.  For years, I was able to push my body to DO stuff, oftentimes, that I really didn't "feel" up to doing, but, presently, I am in a valley, and, am unable to push myself!  So, the last thing that I need, IF, I manage to get my myself ready, in spite of the pain, and GO somewhere, is to deal with a person, especially a "CHRISTIAN," without EMPATHY toward me, concerning the chronic back pain!  Furthermore, dealing with "some" pain, every now and then, is a TOTALLY different situation than having 'chronic back pain,' due to injuries, continually, for many years!  One thing that this "BAD BACK" situation has taught me, is to be empathetic!  People have various kinds of "PAIN" with which we deal in life, and Jesus expects HIS children to CARE about others, and that, they are dealing with pain!!  It is usually not obvious to everyone everything with which a person is trying to COPE, therefore, we need to remind ourselves to CHOOSE to be SENSITIVE toward people with whom God puts on our path of life!  A person who has dealt with minimal "PAIN" in her life, usually has not developed as much, if any, empathy, as a person who has experienced lots of painful things in her life, so, the 'Christian' who hasn't, REALLY needs to let God help her to develop, and apply, EMPATHY, to her life, for HIS glory!  The 'Holy Spirit' shall assist one in becoming more empathetic, IF, she lets HIM!  Not being empathetic to a person can cause more "PAIN," or, hurt, in her life, which is the exact OPPOSITE of what 'The Lord' desires us to do!  And if, you happen to be one of those people who feel better about yourself by trying to make others feel inferior to you, because you can DO more than them, or, for some other reason, you need to ask for God's forgiveness, and, for HIS help!  Even people who are already empathetic, can most likely, become even more so, and, I surely desire to be (for HIS honor and glory)!  Whenever I think about my younger years, I realize that, before I went through depression, back pain, and, many other difficulties, I really had no empathy toward people, who were living with, and/or through, sorrow, pain, and the such!  "Once upon a time," I, an 'evangelist's wife,' who was functioning in the role of a 'pastor's wife,' and, everyone around me knew that I was dealing with severe depression, and, a back problem (it wasn't as bad then as it is now), and, that particular 'Lord's Day,' I had struggled to get my two, school aged children, and myself, up, fed, dressed, etc., ready for church, and, we had finally arrived for 'Sunday School!'  As I entered the building, the children had already ran inside, someone, whom I thought sincerely cared about my family, and me, said, "good morning," and, "how ya do'n," and, the younger, naive, me, responded, "hello, well, my back is pretty aggravated this morning, and, I'm struggling, so, please, say a little prayer for me," (or, something to that effect), grasping for some much needed encouragement!  However, instead of receiving encouragement, Christian love, or anything like that, I got a cold rebuke, that was something like, "oh, now, we don't want to hear, and/or talk about, anything like that!"  It broke my heart!  That is just one of the numerous times, someone "seemingly" void of empathy, has hurt me throughout the years of "ministry!"  But, I've "grown in The Lord," through it ALL!  There are SO many people with MUCH WORSE PAIN than mine, and, I understand HOW vitally important it is for them to "feel" as though SOMEONE, ANYONE, CARES!!  Nobody WANTS to be TORMENTED with PAIN of any sort!  Also, the consistency of actual physical, chronic pain, and/or, painful circumstances, has the capability of wearing a person down, and/or, out!  And, a person who is IN pain, worn down, and, struggling to take her next step, ABSOLUTELY does NOT NEED to be "DOGGED" by anybody, especially, when she is sincerely TRYING to live for Jesus, and trying to NOT GIVE UP, or, whatever the trouble may be that she is going through!? We very seldom realize when a person is at the point of QUITTING, either, do we?! Because, outward appearances can be VERY deceiving!!  I honestly attempt to treat others the way in which I want them to treat me (Matthew 7:12), BUT, I CAN become defensive whenever I feel as though I, or any of my loved ones, "seem" to be, threatened, shamed, condemned, etc., as most people can!!  The point in which I'm trying to get across in this 'blog post,' is that, we humans, particularly 'Christians,' really NEED to CHOOSE to be EMPATHETIC toward people, especially, HURTING people!  And, IF, you are a person without empathy, or, with very little, you need to ask 'The Lord' to help you develop some, and to then, help you USE it, for HIS honor and glory!  Until next time...