Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.
—Henri Nouwen
Facing the Brokenness
Facing your inner brokenness is probably where you are the most defended. I sure am. David pleaded with God to “Strengthen me according to your word. Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me your law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth; your judgments I have laid down before me” (Psalm 119:28-30).
Before you can be an emotionally safe person for others, you must first learn to create an emotionally safe environment for yourself. Before you can know how to offer compassion to others, you must first learn how to receive it yourself. This is foundational to relational safety. God is for you. He wants you to not simply live life, but live it abundantly! Jesus describes Himself in John 10 as your good shepherd who lays His life down for His sheep. This chapter will help you recognize God’s voice and trust Him enough to follow His paths for you.
You will also find you are less dependent upon your circumstances changing as you continue to change. Healing will be demonstrated in a new identity, as God’s beloved, His favorite.
Walking this out together,
STEVE AND CELESTIA