Compassion. It is the one quality needed most in our culture. When you feel bombarded by fear, compassion can often be neglected. When alarms of evil all around plague your thinking, the natural response is to retreat into a mode of self-preservation. In this, we can neglect caring for those who cannot care for themselves. Even in a spiritual sense, as our world falls headlong into a pit of fear, followers of Jesus must fight the urge to run from fear. We must look in the eyes of those who don’t know Jesus and remember our purpose. We are called to be the light of the world. Light serves its purpose best when it is shone in a dark place

How do you keep compassion shining in your soul? Don’t buy into accusations and disparaging comments against those with whom you disagree. Offenses will lead to hatred. Hatred will lead to a blind perspective of those who live contrary to your way of thinking. Jesus directs us to love our enemies. This wasn’t a suggestion. His words can lead us to live with a heart full of compassion. This kind of compassion, however, is not a result of determination alone. Compassion flows out of allowing the goodness of God’s nature to direct your behavior. God’s nature was inserted into your soul when His Spirit took up residency in you. Compassion and love are evidence of His Spirit in you.

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