Passage of the Day:
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. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.
Reflection:
One of my new responsibilities at work is approaching individuals who have recently made a big mistake or are simply struggling to perform in their department. As I interact with these associates, I try to share my own past failures and shortcomings. When I approach people with a heart of compassion, knowing that human nature has a way getting the best of us, these uncomfortable conversations tend to go better than I expect. This is the goal of the apostle Paul in today’s passage, reminding the Church at Corinth of God, the Father of Compassion.
Prayerful Action:
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you, Ephesians 4:31-32.
Restoring Your Heart:
In the days of my youth, I possessed a bad temper, weekly freaking out on someone or going off about something that I despise. Despite becoming a Christian in the middle of my sophomore year of high school, I didn’t know how to be compassionate. Since my church over-emphasized the wrath of God in the Old Testament, compassion wasn’t something that I was introduced to until college. The apostle Paul is clear about how to develop a heart of compassion: forgiving others just as Jesus forgave you and all of your sins, 1 John 1:9.
Song of the Day:
Back in 2012, I got fired from my teaching job of ten years on New Year’s Day. The attached song ministered to me and helped got me through this difficult time in life. Whether today’s post finds you enjoying the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat, may God give you the strength to move on, striving for a heart of compassion.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 