Maybe We’re All More Alike Than We Thought
LYSA TERKEURST
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“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
It’s no secret that the world today feels so divided. And while we won’t always understand everyone else’s thoughts, opinions and ways of processing life, I think we can focus on areas where we are all more alike than different.
You see, we all have tear stains on our pillows and have faced:
Unforeseeable, life-altering circumstances.
Unresolved relationship tensions.
Unanswered prayer requests.
When our hearts get broken, it hurts. Grief stings. Hard stuff piled on top of hard stuff is disorienting for all of us.
We all carry a bit of sorrow or frustration or heaviness. And when we take time to remember this, compassion toward others grows in our hearts — because the reality is they’re hurting too. Maybe the truth that we’re all carrying some form of pain in our hearts means we’re a lot more alike than we are different.
Maybe today is a great day for us to reach out with compassion to another hurting human soul.
Make that phone call.
Leave that encouraging comment on social media.
Stop by just to say hello to a friend with her favorite coffee.
Pray more words over her than you talk about her.
Pick up some flowers and place them where she can see something beautiful.
Smile and take a photo of the two of you, proving life isn’t all bad.
One of the most compassionate things we can do for others is create a space where they know they’re welcome just as they are. Around a table. On a walk. Maybe even on a road trip. Initiating those moments where togetherness says, You belong. You have a place. You have a voice. You have people. You are loved.
I think Colossians 3:12 says it best: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
When you’re hurting, it can feel isolating if you aren’t sure how to talk about the hard things or who can safely hold your honest thoughts. But compassion allows us to love people who are hurting, empathize with their pain, and acknowledge their side of things, even if we can’t change the outcome or fix things for them. Only God can do that.
But what can we do? Invite. Initiate. Comfort. Pray. Release our desire to control things or change people and instead simply create space for the Holy Spirit to move. We can show up with Jesus in our hearts and compassion in our words and just be there.
So who is someone in your life who may need this today? Maybe shoot that person a quick text saying, “Hey, friend. Jesus loves you, and I love you, and I’m here for you.”
And if you’re that person who needs to be reminded she’s a little less alone in what she’s walking through right now, I’ll be that friend for you: Hey, you. Jesus loves you, and today isn’t the whole story. Keep going. You’re going to make it.
Father God, sometimes I forget we all have tear stains on our pillows. Please remind me that every person I come across needs compassion and that I might be the only one in their life right now who has the chance to help and the courage to care. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
People who break our trust do not have the power to break apart God’s good plans for our lives. If you need help believing this is true, join Circle 31 Book Club in reading our November pick: I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t by Lysa TerKeurst! When you join Circle 31, you’ll also receive FREE access to two brand-new Bible teachings taught by Lysa from the I Want to Trust You, but I Don’t Bible Study. Join now, and start reading with us on November 1!
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (NIV).
What is something you can do in compassion for someone else who is hurting today?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2024 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Tuesday, 22 October 2024.
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