Reason Twenty-three: He Gives Me Compassion

Juel A. Fitzgerald

Nov 28

Reason Twenty-three: He Gives Me Compassion

"If they would just pick themself up by their boot straps and do something about it, then a change can happen!" Having compassion for people and their issues was never my mode of operation.

You are what you think and do and that can change was my opinion. We all have the ability with our God to do the impossible if we fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him. What I refused to see was what made people tic, why they did the things they did. God used people, experiences. His Word, and prayer to show me His compassion for me in all my wrong thinking and then I could give compassion to others. Similar to my lack of patience, I am a work in progress.

One of the many ways He used to teach me compassion was while I was walking long distances races. For all the marathons, He somehow hooked me up with a friend or stranger in the race. In those races He helped me to have deep conversation with the other person along the miles. During those races He helped me to be focused on helping the other to finish the race instead of being focused on ending the race with a personal best. He has revealed my person best but it is not recorded in an official race. It was more fun helping others to do the best they could in a race.

Learning to dive into someone's life to "see" them instead of creating my wrong assumptions about them is how God has taught me to have compassion for the people who frustrate me. It's never easy and it is a lot of work; but God helps me to squash that negative emotion and give it to Him. He shows me how He loves and has compassion for them and me despite of ourselves. Who am I to have a lack of compassion on someone God has compassion for?

Now I am walking not for races but for fitness with others. The compassion learned while training for races, has spilled over into other non walking arenas. Wherever God has me to serve, compassion is warranted for those I serve with or for. Thank goodness He walks with me when the irritants come and He smooths out the situation so I can see what He sees. It is exhausting, but freeing when God's hand is in it and not mine.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36. (NIV).

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Juel A. Fitzgerald has a degree in English and is a Toastmaster trained public speaker, loves to travel, walk long distances with friends, and is a driving instructor for teens. She writes in four blogs and is the author of "Lives of a Gem! God's Treasured Possession", "Bible Trek: Reading the Bible in Thirteen Weeks", and "The Twelve: Fishers of Men".

These are her four blogs:

Heart Emissions – weekly spiritual devotionals.
Juel's Travel Beacon – travel information and tips.
Walking For God Challenge – one year blog to raise funds for HOPE worldwide.
Writer's Blog – writer's journey, news and other information

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