I Feel Your Pain!
I Corinthians 12:25-26 (ESV)
“that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
The story is told of General William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. Queen Victoria of England hearing so many things about his favorable works in the slums, asked what was the secret to his success. Booth said, “Some men have a passion for money. Some people have a passion for things. I have a passion for people.” William Booth success was due to his personal passion and empathy for those who were suffering and struggling in life! Empathy can be defined as ‘your pain in my heart.’ Empathy is the ability to feel the hurt and pain of others and take action. God has placed believers in community together, not just for the purpose of building each other up in their most holy faith through diverse spiritual gifts, not just for the sake of fellowship, but for the purpose of also caring for one another in times of pain. Paul underscored this truth in I Corinthians 12:26.
While Paul is crystal clear that we all have a place and a purpose in the Body of Christ, he’s also clear that we all have a responsibility to empathize with those within our community that are suffering or in pain. Christians must not only identify with the suffering and pain of their brothers and sisters in Christ, but they must also internalize the suffering and pain of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul is saying just as the whole body is affected by the stubbing of one toe, so the body of Christ should be affected by the pain and suffering of one of their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
When was the last time that you empathize with the pain and suffering of those who are apart of your faith community and sought to comfort them? The next time you learn of the pain and suffering of your brother or sister in Christ, let them know by your actions that you feel their pain!
God, help me to have a passion for those in my community that is characterized by empathy and action, Amen!