Title
The Art of Empathy
Scripture
If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could heap words against you… but I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.
(Job 16:4)
Devotional
Jesus said it this way, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” It is easy to judge someone as wrong when the things they are doing are failing. It is easy to point out faults and shortcomings. It is easy to blame and criticize. These things steam from our sin natures. Just as Adam blamed Eve for the fall, we likewise desire to blame others when they fall. When someone is down, they do not need pushed down further. When someone is hurting, they do not need salt poured into their wounds. Job needed encouragement, not more discouragement. He needed comfort and wise counsel, not condemnation and foolish opinions. Job needed for his friends to empathize with him, not criticize him. Empathy always comes through compassion. It relates with sympathetic understanding. Therefore it comforts, relieves the grief and strengthens.