Oct 7, 2020
Compassion for COVID
Wear a mask they say
No, don’t wear a mask
Stay home
No, don’t stay home
Take a vaccine
No, don’t take a vaccine
I’m not giving justifications for any of these suggestions. We all have our reasons for believing what we believe.
We also know this is hard times for the entire world. We also know it’s not the first time the world has experienced devastating trauma, nor will it be the last.
Speaking of trauma, the one thing that we want when experiencing trauma that so many people are lacking today is compassion.
Definition of compassion is:
“sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”
I don’t know about you, but when I click on the news I do not see a lot of compassion. In fact, in order to see compassion, I have to be in charge of my environment, I have to live on purpose, ensuring that I’m around a positive support system and/or I’m not waiting on compassion to happen, but I am choosing to show compassion to others.
The biggest act of compassion in all humanity is how Jesus had compassion on you and me, taking the weight of our sin, and dying on the cross so that we could essentially have another shot.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” - John 3:16-19
Jesus had compassion on us; as humans we chose to sin. Adam and Eve in the beginning of time, just like you and I have done at some point in our life, chose to disobey. But because of Jesus dying for our sins, we are not condemned, as long as you choose to believe and accept God. Light came into the world, yet many people today still choose darkness.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
You and I couldn’t change COVID from coming but we can choose how to react to it. We can choose to be a light in the darkness.
As Christians we should have compassion on others, just as we were shown compassion.
Even if you aren’t a Christian, what’s the Golden Rule?
Do unto others as you’d have done to you. Christians: I know of a witch where in my community that has more compassion than some Christians I know. If a witch can have compassion, how much more should Christians? Are some Christians merely calling themselves as such just for the name’s sake, or to “look” good? Or, if you’re a Christian, are you at least trying to live as Jesus did?
Wouldn’t you agree that the world is bad enough? Instead of adding more negativity, join me in choosing to be kind, and in doing this we take the edge off. Hey, it’s like a win-win!
Showing compassion when we ourselves are struggling is easier said than done, right?
That’s just it. It’s not always easy, but it’s still doable. We have to do the work. Noting worthwhile is ever easy. If we can press through and believe that when we give, it will be given to us, then we will soon reap the benefits. And no, not all benefits are monetary. The best benefits are those that warm the heart. When you give, you are creating joy in your heart.
So how do we do it?
How can we better show compassion in the day of COVID? I’m going to give you 3 simple steps for a fresh start.
I confess I’m not all innocent here. I am guilty of reading the Facebook post full of drama to see what others are saying. That is, until I read something that turns my stomach and I snap out of it. I am reminded that reading filth is not doing anything good for me, or my mindset. As a result of reading filth, I may get angry or depressed and therefore have a lack of compassion for anyone.
Instead of being political, choose compassion. Like yourself, your opposer has a background and certain beliefs that enable them to think the way they do. Pray for them. If they are your enemy, remember that Jesus says to pray for our enemies. If God wants them to believe something different, then trust that God is working on them if you are praying for them. Instead of wasting time condemning others, we should use that time to improve grow closer to God, so that we can be more beneficial and, hopefully, more compassionate to others.
Jesus says in Luke 6:38 to give and it will be given unto you.
38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
33 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “Luke 12:33-34
It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own thinking. We are naturally selfish people. In a way I’m kind of thankful for my selfishness because I would not have known my need for a Savior. If you have lived a perfect life and don’t know Christ you are in for a rude awakening because we do live in an imperfect world and the moment something big rattles your life, I hope and pray that you know God and that you choose to turn to Him.
Even though we are selfish we can be more like Jesus when we give and when we become more like Jesus we have peace. Giving gets our minds off ourselves and helps us to shift our focus onto helping others the way God intended. It is better to give than to receive. Giving helps to heal our minds and our hearts and today’s world we could all use healing.
Most of us have a hard time giving up something. Very often that thing we have a hard time giving up reveals what we treasure. I like shoes. I also love Jesus. I also feel bad when I have too many shoes, and not enough Jesus. This my friends, is because our hearts should not be destined to shoes. It’s at this moment that I’m to reminded to give.
Jesus says:
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 16:19-21
Giving doesn’t always have to be money. You can give your time, you can give a compliment, you can write a letter of encouragement to someone or message them in messenger.
As our nation deals with a pandemic such as COVID we need to remember that people especially need encouragement and hope right now. You are needed. You are essential. Today, think of a way in which you can give to someone in need. You shouldn’t have to look far.
God is love. If we trust in the world it paints a grim picture of love. In order to experience more love, we must plug into the power source. God is the author of love. As we grown deeper in relationship with Him we learn how to love others. Our minds become more Christ-like and, as a result, we are happier, more compassionate people.
In today’s world we are at a deficit. Currently, fear is taking over many people. There is much love in the world, but we must find it. We must be aware of it. We must be plugged into it.
We can choose love over hate. Choose to be different. Choose the narrow path because on the wide path you get lost in the crowd.
What is the narrow path? God and his son Jesus. Choosing to follow Jesus may not be the most popular route but it is the best route.
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew7:13-14
Have you ever taken the popular path before to find that it was short-lived? I have. In fact, it was so enticing that I went back to the wide path even though I knew the result would be temporary. Finally, I decided that it’s not woth it. I finally decided that I want to reap eternal rewards. I don’t want to live my life here on earth for rewards or recognition, that leaves a nasty taste in my mouth. Seeking eternal rewards is more satisfying for my soul because eternal rewards are rewards that last for a lifetime and Include living with Jesus in streets of Gold.
Wouldn’t you agree that there are many people today living for a cheap thrill? I see many people get a kick out of hating and cutting down others. Again, this shows the treasure of their heart.
In order to become more compassionate, loving human beings we must live on purpose. You must reach out to Jesus, open up a Bible and read his Word. Spend time in prayer and then the treasure of your heart will change, and you will bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:7-8:
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Conclusion:
I must say it’s been a rough season. But that’s just it, it’s a season. I have to read you a letter from high school. For me, as well, I’ve been sick, not with COVID, However, the devil attacks my voice a lot, I see it as he is trying to silence me. However, the stress of everyday life sometimes is hard. But I always choose to pray, press on and do some good in the world because I refuse to stay stuck. That’s’ what the enemy wants, and God did not design us to become overwhelmed by the world but to show the world a better way. If you are experiencing a difficult time right now remember it is only a season.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Here’s my journal entry:
“I’ll forever keep trying for happiness and searching for my dream and gaining courage. Focusing on God’s will for me and my inner strength and using my gifts to determine who I am. And for other people to know. The last note I got from mom (which was last year sometime), read, ‘Dreams are what were made of and I’m working on yours.’ I got to believe that’s true and not forget those words. I can’t give up on hope, not now, now ever. God won’t let opportunity skip from my hands, nor will mom, although sometimes my hands start to get slippery. Ecclesiastes 9:11: Time and chance happen to everyone.”
I think God showed me that letter as a reminder that this is a season. We all go through different season, Sickness will be over soon and to never give up hope. When I am reminded of these things it helps me to get unstuck and that with Christ all things are possible. I know that all these things are but a flicker compared to what is to come.
I get to live forever in the place God has prepared for us that believe. I’m here to remind you that you have this same hope. And if you don’t believe in God He is waiting on you today to accept him and believe him. To confess you sins because God forgives you. He sees you and loves you. But remember this. With God nothing can shake us.
Last, may we go over Ecclesiastes 3 that reminds us all of the seasons:
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the
heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to
die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to
heal,
a time to tear down and a time to
build,
4 a time to weep and a time to
laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time
to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain
from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give
up,
a time to keep and a time to throw
away,
7 a time to tear and a time to
mend,
a time to be silent and a time to
speak,
8 a time to love and a time to
hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Thank you for joining me today. I pray you have a peaceful week full of joy. Make it a goal to help someone this week.
Next episode, we’ll be talking about persistence. That was actually supposed to be this episode, but I felt it in my heart to first do a podcast concerning COVID.
Thanks again and remember, “don’t give up because the best is yet to come!”