Who is Hurting In My Family?

Isaiah 30:18 ... the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion...

Showing compassion to others is the most Christ centered action we can practice. It is easy to show love and compassion to a hurting person who is humble looking for your help. Where true godly compassion starts is with your spouse, children and friends.  With the people who really know you. It is those closest to you in proximity that bother you, disappoint you or hurt you. Showing them compassion during these tough times is huge. Compassion means your understanding - you understand the other person is hurting. You aid them in the healing process. 

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience

Let’s show compassion for the next month and help the family member who is hurting the most to find healing. 

3 Ways To Show Compassion To Someone Who Is Hurting:

Touch

Reach out and give them a hug, a pat on the back, a kiss on the cheek or a gentle squeeze on their arm. Touch conveys compassion. At a crisis moment it brings peace and assurance that things will be ok. The greatest thing a mother can do is pick up a crying baby, hold the child closely, provide comfort, which makes a child secure. This is true compassion, care, and concern that Jesus displays. Touch is a powerful source of  emotional healing. Show affection to those you love. 

Isaiah 49:15-16 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

Time

Jesus loves us so much that He wants to spend all of His time with us. He is never too busy to talk to you. He is watching over you just waiting for you to turn towards Him with a need, He is always listening for your voice to call out His name. He is ready to rush in and show you compassion, He cares about you and will aid you in any area. He gives us all of his attention - there is never a moment He is not present for you. He is interested in everything about us. Just like Jesus’s attention is on us, we should follow His example and give our attention and time to our husbands and children. Look for the one who is hurting the most in your family living at home. Plan to take fifteen minutes a day and spend time with that person doing whatever they love doing! Time together will heal their wounds and boost their confidence. When your with them look them in the eyes and think about how much you care for them. Your body language will follow your heart. Your family reads your body language 90% of the time. Our body language always shows our true heart towards others if you really want to be with them or not. When you give them your time and attention they feel accepted, appreciated and valued. Your family wants time with you. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Talk

Words are everything. Jesus realized that His words would make us and without the Bible we would be hopelessly lost. We long for God’s word. And your family longs for your words of affirmation. The most compassionate thing you can do is give emotional support to your family members. Your words of kindness, forgiveness encouragement, love, support, humility, gentleness and patience make the difference between life or death. Think and say, “I care for you; that’s why I am here. I value you that’s why I am spending time with you.”

Colossians 3:12 TPT You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy. Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all. Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.

Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

We’re ready for compassion. We need compassion. Let’s give compassion. Show compassion for the next month and help the family member who is hurting the most to find healing. 

Love you,
Tami McKinney

P.S. We will be gathering in person on the Patio at 10:30AM for Church Live! Come see your friends in a safe and comfortable enviromnent. All together we will watch the uplifting worship and the message from Pastor Jerry McKinney on our Patio screens. We're excited to be with you again. Register here.