Empathy Helps a Brother or Sister Heal

Lack of physical troubles is not a measure of inner spirituality, any more than material wealth is a measure of it. How we respond through the troubles can be a measure of our faith. And, how we respond to wealth can show us where our heart is also, do we brag, play and mock the poor, or do we use it for the sake of others while blessing those less fortunate.

James 1:12 "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."


1 Peter 5:10 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

Romans 12:12 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Notice in all these verses we see God protecting our spirit and inner being. The reason God allows trials in our lives is to keep us dependent on Him, to glorify Him through it and to carry His Word to others who might be looking on.

If we focus on our trials then we will not hold up spiritually. If we focus on Christ, He will hold us up in our inner being. But we should not have to hold up alone. We are a family as believers and should be interested and empathetic to others going through trials.

The purpose for showing empathy to our brothers in trials, is to double their strength in a very hard time. When we embrace others in their troubles while crying with them, we strengthen them, even without any words.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 "And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart."

One hurting person, with one stronger person and Christ, can help uplift the one in distress.

Psalm 32:7-8. "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing."

Let us not walk alone in pride that we have arrived, but let us seek to glorify God through an attitude of empathy toward others, not for self glorification, but to truly please God and help others.