Editor’s Note: Relationships are so important to each one of us. The long-term biblical counselor and now missionary Wayne Mack wrote an excellent resource years ago where he discussed how to develop better relationships. In his helpful chapter on “Developing a Helping Relationship with Counselees” from the excellent text Counseling: How To Counsel Biblically, Mack provides some key questions related to developing involvement through compassion. I believe regardless of who you are, this can be helpful to you in all your relationships. I have edited it some to apply to everyone to help as you are developing relationships through compassion. So, here is Wayne Mach on the Importance of Compassion.

 

Think about practical ways to show compassion.

In reality, compassion is not so much an emotion as it is a choice of the will. Even if we do not feel like being kind to someone, we can still be kind (see Luke 6:27– 28). Often, feelings of love for others follow the decision to act in a way that pleases and benefits them. Use the following questions to help you determine whether you are demonstrating genuine compassion toward others around you: 

  • Have you told your friend/neighbor/coworker/church member that you care for them? (Phil. 1:8). 
  • Have you prayed for them and with them? (Col. 4:12-13).
  • Have you rejoiced and grieved with them? (Rom. 12:15). 
  • Have you dealt with them gently and tenderly? (Matt. 12:20). 
  • Have you been tactful with them? (Prov. 15:23).
  • Have you spoken graciously to them? (Col. 4:6). 
  • Have you continued to love and accept them even when they have rejected your counsel/advice? (Mark 10:21).
  • Have you defended them against those who mistreat and accuse them? (Matt. 12:1-7).
  • Have you forgiven them for any wrong they have done to you? (Matt. 18:21-22).
  • Have you been willing to meet their physical needs if necessary? (1 John 3:17).

Developing Your Relationships through Compassion

These are great questions you can ask yourself to determine if you are doing those things which help build your relationships through compassion.

Do you…

  • Think about how you would feel if you were in the other person’s position?
  • Think of the other person as a family member?
  • Think about your own sinfulness?
  • Think about practical ways to show compassion to this other person?

As you consider Mack’s questions and these additional four questions, I think you will find these questions helpful to you as you seek to better develop and demonstrate compassion to those around you.

Thank you, Wayne Mack, for your help on the importance of compassion.

 

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