Saturday, May 2, 2009

Do you have a Compassion deficit?

DO WE HAVE A COMPASSION DEFICIT?

The definition of compassion is: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering or suffering with another.

Global statistics report at least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day. According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to poverty. 1.1 billion People in developing countries have inadequate access to water and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation. Nearly 28,000 children under age 5 die daily from illnesses that can be prevented, like pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria, malnutrition, poor hygiene and lack of clean water.

Sometimes, we don’t have to go around the world to find someone in need of compassion. We have ample opportunities each day to show compassion and demonstrate grace and love to all mankind. It may be the person next door or the single parent across the street. The elderly couple on a fixed income trying to decide if they are going to buy their medication or food to eat. The person at the cash register who does not have enough money for their purchase.

Lamentations 3:22-23 “ It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

God’s compassions never fail. Great is HIS faithfulness. What about us? Are we compassionate towards one another or is there a compassion deficit in the world today. The Good Samaritan parable tells us a certain man went from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves. They stripped him, beat him and left him half dead. A priest saw him and passed by on the other side. A Levite saw him and passed to the other side. But a Samaritan saw him and had compassion on him. Lack of love is easy to justify even though it is never right. Our neighbor is anyone in any race, creed or social background in need of help. Love means acting to help meet that need.

In the words of President Barach Obama: “You know, there's a lot of talk in this country about the federal deficit. But I think we should talk more about our empathy deficit -- the ability to put ourselves in someone else's shoes; to see the world through the eyes of those who are different from us -- the child who's hungry, the steelworker who's been laid-off, the family who lost the entire life they built together when the storm came to town. When you think like this -- when you choose to broaden your ambit of concern and empathize with the plight of others, whether they are close friends or distant strangers -- it becomes harder not to act; harder not to help.”

Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Do you have a compassion deficit in your life? Are you no longer moved by those who are in need? I challenge you today to help someone feel a little better about themselves or their situation. Put your love into action. And show some compassion; making a difference. God Loves You and so do I ………………..Pastor Tammy

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