We who have been abused may struggle with believing we have compassion. I know I do. Part of my journey is overcoming many obstacles in order to be free from shame, guilt and condemnation. Even though people that I trust have voiced many times that I am compassionate, I think I am finally believing to some degree that I am. Still have a ways to go. But I am on my way.
But the perfect example of compassion was Jesus. He saw. He healed.
This devotional centers on this. I do hope you will be encouraged, as I have:
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd,
he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:14
It is foundational to our healing for someone to see us with compassion. We do not see ourselves with compassion. Instead, we often see ourselves through harsh, condemning eyes. We have come to reject and shame ourselves for our need.
In order to learn to heal from the inside out we need someone to see us differently than we see ourselves. We need someone to see us as we are and to respond to us with emotional warmth and genuine concern.
Jesus saw. And had compassion. And he healed. All three experiences are helpful in recovery.
God sees us. He sees that we struggle, that we need help, that we hurt. Our brokenness is not a surprise or a disappointment to God.
God has compassion on us. God feels with us. God is emotionally responsive to us. It matters to God that we are in need. It impacts God.
God heals. Having seen us and had compassion for us, God responds. God touches our wounds. God mends our broken hearts. God strengthens our weary spirits.
For those of us who have felt invisible, who have experienced shame and
rejection and abuse, it is a wonderful thing to find someone who sees, has
compassion and seeks to heal!
Lord, thank you that you see me.
You see my pain.
Thank you that it matters to you that I struggle and hurt.
Thank you that it is in the context of personal attention and compassion
that you heal me.
I await your healing touch today.
Amen.
Copyright Dale and Juanita Ryan
Just Be Real, I like that your thinking, your posts, always seem to find their way back to the Man Who stilled the waters....
ReplyDeleteLove. Peace.
I find myself in your posts so often, as your writings seem to soak right into my soul... words I need to read at that moment. Thank you, JBR. God bless.
ReplyDeleteof course you have!!! your daily comments are proof of that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute picture that makes the post even more special. You touched my heart once again.
ReplyDeleteJBR what a cute picture. You find the best. Compassion, I need more of that. You have it. Don't let anyone else tell you differently! Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteKiddo I know a lot of the reason you post this is to step clearer in your own mind towards coming to freedom. But that you write in such a way that others can partake and relate to the journey is but one small sign of your compassion for them in need.
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with everyone here. The walking man says it best. You're a great blessing to many and me. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.....this is my favorite line:
ReplyDelete"God is emotionally responsive to us. It matters to God that we are in need."
Thank you for sharing what is placed on your heart.
Peace~
*~Michelle~*
it sounds like you are on the right path to healing the past, you seek acceptance. it does not just come over us, we learn to surrender and accept a little at a time.
ReplyDeletethat is what i hear in this post, you are coming to surrender and acceptance
Yes God is great help and once He's here to stay... we can forgive the unforgivab,e
ReplyDeleteThanks for your visit!
Bless you for always pointing others to the true way, the God way. I love you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful blog. Will have to come back to check out more things.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the picture :) It's so cute!
ReplyDeleteYes you have compassion, from your comments on my blog I can tell you have a lot of it too!
HUGS
Thank God for the compassion of Jesus! His love covers it all. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteThis was a beautiful devotional. :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat is the most amazing, adorable photo. I wonder if it's real. What I KNOW is real is your compassion. You've shown it around the blogosphere and I have witnessed it numerous times.
ReplyDeleteYou said, "You see my pain.
Thank you that it matters to you that I struggle and hurt." I see you, JBR. And your pain, hurt and struggle matter to me. Thinking of you and sending love.
Wow, thank you all for your comments.
ReplyDeleteJesus is the compassionate of all compassion!!!
About the picture: I do not know if it is real? Certainly does look like it. But, now-a-days you can do so much with Photoshop and all. Just to clarify that is a mouse and not a rat. I thought it was a rat! Ugh.
"God has compassion on us. God feels with us. God is emotionally responsive to us. It matters to God that we are in need. It impacts God."
ReplyDeleteWow.
JBR, I hear you. I know exactly where you come from. Awareness is the first step. Hugs
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this wonderful devotion.
ReplyDeleteThe line that most ministered to my heart is "It matters to God that we are in need". When I am hurting and "feel" that my hurt or pain doesn't matter to anyone, Oh how wonderful and amazing it is to know that the God of all Comforts cares and it matters to Him! Only He can relieve and heal my pain with His Divine Compassion and comfort me! Glory to God....Thank you Jesus you took my pain!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
I'm with everybody else, JBR. Thank God we have a God who understands our sorrows and is acquainted with grief. He will heal the broken-hearted and lift up the poor in spirit. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDelete