Harassed and Helpless

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 ESV (Emphasis mine)

“You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.” – John MacArthur

Harassed and helpless like sheep. While working for my local police department several years ago, a 12-year-old girl called me.  Her mother’s boyfriend had beat her and threatened to beat her much younger siblings who she was babysitting. Immediately, police were dispatched and brought this trembling and stunned girl to the department. Reports were written and photos taken to prove how monstrous this woman’s boyfriend was. I was a witness to her naked body full of bruises and her many tears.  During the photo session, I didn’t cry when with her but hugged her with words of comfort and phoned the volunteer pastor on call. The feelings of compassion were later.

Compassion. It isn’t just feelings, it’s action. When storms, fires, or tragedies of any kind happen, the American people are the first to provide money, food, shelter, and clothing even during stressful financial times. Jesus set the example years ago when He saw the crowds. He fed them, healed them, encouraged them, and inspired them even though he and the disciples were exhausted.

Start with self-compassion. It doesn’t mean excusing or ignoring bad behavior, it means owning it and consciously understanding why you would do a harmful thing to yourself or others. For me, it starts with not knowing how to self-soothe painful emotions. There are so many immediate and destructive things that bombard us like shopping, food, drugs and alcohol—temporary fixes—not real self-soothing. There may be a dark and large emptiness within when giving up destructive ways of self-soothing. We need to learn a better way, which takes time. Immediate gratification will not work for true healing.

Look for compassion. There are so many support groups that are successful because no one can counsel and feel what another feels like someone who’s been there—like Jesus. Someone who’s been there knows that change may be a one-step forward and one-step backward process because we’re learning a New Way to live. Self-loathing is not allowed.

Do a compassion word search in the Bible. There are so many beautiful and rich verses in the Bible on compassion for oneself and for others. It will open your heart and gently coax new behaviors. Jesus said he was humble and gentle in heart. True.

Musings

Every day there are opportunities to be compassionate and it can become overwhelming and discouraging—we’re not in Heaven yet. As the flight attendants say before takeoff, “Put on your oxygen mask first and then help another.” We do this with support, prayer, and meditation with thanks. He will show the way.

Prayer

Dear Father,

No one was or is as compassionate as You. You who gave Your only Son to die an agonizing and shameful death with no compassion. We only have a smidgen of understanding of Jesus’ torture but we thank you for Him with open hearts and hands.

Help us to go boldly today with compassion for ourselves and others.

Amen.