EMPATHY

Empathy is a very tricky emotion.  When tragedy strikes someone you care about and she confides in you, unless you have walked her shoes, you really don't know the deep pain and sorrow she is feeling.  When we empathize, we put ourselves in their shoes and feel what they are feeling at the time.  Whether the intensity is on the same level or not, empathizing with someone helps us analyze with clearer thinking because we are not the ones affected.  It is less difficult for us to think of what to say and how to act since we are not in the direct line of fire.  When we look at the same person and feel sad for them, We are most likely only sympathetic.  There is a distinct difference.  

When Jesus encountered people who had loved ones who died or had serious illnesses, He sprang into action and miraculously healed the sick and brought the dead back to life.  He didn't do these acts for mere show.  He was actually demonstrating to us that with even a mustard seed sized faith, we could do the same for others.  But alas, when faced with the same situation, we grapple for ways to help out and simply fall into the sympathetic rather than the empathetic.  Perhaps if you were the person in trouble, would you do everything in your power to be able to fix the situation as Jesus did?  The Bible says we do have the power to do so.  If we only have the faith we can move mountains.  If Jesus says we could, then believing and standing on that truth would allow us to do so.  Living in the realm in which Jesus lives will allow us to.  But to get to that point isn't easy.  We have to be completely surrendered to God in thoughts, words and deed.  But practice makes perfect.  I know there are people out there who actually have that much faith that they have the ability to transcend the norm and actually reinforce what Jesus already taught us when he walked the earth.  

I don't know how far you are with your faith but if you are one of the ones who are grown in God's truth, you would understand what I'm talking about.  If you are the opposite, then you have some seeking to do and do it now.  Time is running out, Jesus' return is imminent.  Don't be caught off-guard.  Always be prepared.

Until my next rant... LOVE ONE ANOTHER!