Want Spirit-filled commentary delivered right to your inbox every morning? Sign up here: http://bit.ly/1K5n2g0
Wednesday, August 19th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Esther 4:1-7:10
1 Corinthians 12:1-26
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 21:21-22
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1tmPEY3
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. – 1 Cor 12:26
Jesus desires empathy: the ability to emotionally comprehend what another person is going through. Empathy is different from sympathy. Sympathy means you feel sorry for someone. Empathy, however, means you want to know how they feel. Without empathy, it is impossible to be moved with compassion for God’s people. Without empathy, it is impossible to pray as Jesus instructs us to pray!
When a sister in Christ suffers, she should never suffer alone. All of us should seek to understand where she is coming from, and help her however possible. The people around you are not looking for you to become Mr. Fix-It, and offer solutions and suggestions. Sometimes all they want is for someone to feel what they’re going through, and help bear the pain in silence.
When a brother in Christ is celebrating a victory, all of us should rejoice with him! A brother’s victory is no time to jealously wish it were your victory, but rather a time to celebrate with him however you can!
Prayer:
Father, help me to understand the emotional high’s and low’s of the people in my life. Give me empathy! Help me to suffer with those who suffer, and rejoice with those who rejoice. Most of all, help me to remember that You triumph through both sorrow and joy.
© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.