Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion

Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion

"SO LONG as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain," wrote Helen Keller.  Keller certainly understood emotional pain. At the age of 19 months, an illness left her totally blind and deaf.  But a compassionate teacher taught Helen to read and write in Braille and, later to speak.

Keller's teacher, Ann Sullivan, knew only too well the frustration of fighting a physical disability.  She herself was nearly blind.  But Ann patiently devised a way to communicate with Helen by "spelling out" letters on Helen's hand.  Inspired  by the empathy of her teacher, Helen decided to dedicate her own life to helping the blind and the deaf.  Having overcome her own disability at great effort, she felt for those who were in similar circumstances.  She wanted to help them.

You have likely observed that in this selfish world, it is easy to 'shut the door of one's tender compassions' and ignore the needs of others.  (1 John 3:17)  Christians, however, are commanded to love their neighbor and to have intense love for one another (brotherly and sisterly love) (Matthew 22:39; 1 Peter 4:8)  Yet, you are probably aware of this reality; although we fully intend to love one another, we often overlook opportunities to reliever others' pain.  That may simply be because we are not aware of their needs.  Empathy is the key that can unlock  the door to our kindness and compassion. 

Next time: Empathy Key to Kindness and Compassion - What Is Empathy?

The Watchtower, 2002