Love… Is Sympathetic

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15 (NKJV)

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

1 Corinthians 12:26 (NIV)

“Sympathy” has two core definitions:

  1. “Feelings of pity and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.”

  2. “An understanding between people; a common feeling.” (Oxford Dictionaries)

The Bible says Jesus wept (more than once). He wept with His friends when Lazarus died. He wept for Jerusalem’s pending pain.

Because where love is, sympathy is, too. Love mourns in men’s trials and bereavements. Love sympathizes with common feelings.

NOTE: Gentle hearts can’t be stony– but tender, welcoming, willing to share and to care.

A warning cold Christians should consider:

When believers build walls around their hearts, they grow older, colder, and start to shrink. Physically and spiritually, they risk heart attacks, which can be FATAL!

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

For all actors and artists, sympathy is a relational necessity. Because without it…

“Connecting” with whoever’s watching you (agents looking for “bookability”, or fans (lost sheep) looking for leadership), won’t work. (The “extension cord” is missing!)

Resolutions?

  • Don’t hang with bitter, hard-hearted people, because callowness can be contagious.

  • DO hang with Jesus. Humble yourself, and cry when others cry. Be sympathetic!

Love… Is Sympathetic (Part 64)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re all called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re all called to be models of Jesus. We all have gifts, talents, and a commission to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend DAILY BIBLE READING.

WARNING: Don’t focus on your favorite verses, because taken out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban