By Al Behel
It’s easy to develop compassion fatigue. There are so many needs and requests for assistance. While we can’t relieve all the suffering in the world, we can be the hands of Jesus to respond to as many hurting people as possible. Most of us would not hesitate to help good friends or family, but may take pause when challenged to help strangers.
When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan he identified 4 kinds of people. In the story a man was robbed and left to die beside the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Two very religious men came by, a priest and Levite, and, seeing the injured man walked by on the opposite side of the road. Finally, a Samaritan, who was hated by the Jews, came by. Seeing the man he stopped, provided medical treatment, and took him to an inn to be cared for. He promised to pay any additional charge when he returned. This story tells us there are people who hurt others, people who are hurting, people who help people, and people who ignore the needs of others. Which kind of person are you? Are you a compassionate person?
It’s easy to develop compassion fatigue. There are so many needs and requests for assistance. While we can’t relieve all the suffering in the world, we can be the hands of Jesus to respond to as many hurting people as possible. Most of us would not hesitate to help good friends or family, but may take pause when challenged to help strangers.
When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan he identified 4 kinds of people. In the story a man was robbed and left to die beside the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Two very religious men came by, a priest and Levite, and, seeing the injured man walked by on the opposite side of the road. Finally, a Samaritan, who was hated by the Jews, came by. Seeing the man he stopped, provided medical treatment, and took him to an inn to be cared for. He promised to pay any additional charge when he returned. This story tells us there are people who hurt others, people who are hurting, people who help people, and people who ignore the needs of others. Which kind of person are you? Are you a compassionate person?
- Al Behel preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains
Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. He may be
contacted through the congregation's website: http://greatsmokymountainschurchofchrist.com/
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