From the Pastor        Sympathy    

What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like. — Saint Augustine

Sympathy: the fact or power of sharing the feelings of another, especially in sorrow or trouble; fellow feeling, compassion, or commiseration. (dictionary definition)

It’s a valuable commodity for humans. You have looked for it, wanted it, appreciated it, and given it… SYMPATHY.  Sym = with.  Pathos = feeling.  To feel with another the feelings that he/she is feeling: sympathy.

While no one can know exactly what another human is feeling or going through, we often have enough parallel experiences to have a good idea of how they feel.  If you have lost a spouse, you understand more fully what a newly widowed person feels; better than one who has not yet experienced such a loss.  If you have lost a child, your heart aches for the parent who lost a child, too.  If you had a severe ailment someone else is having now, you can say OUCH along with her.

Expressions of sympathy are much appreciated.  Of course, they can be faked.  It’s easy to SAY you are sorry; you can think that way mentally, but emotionally you may actually feel nothing.  I guess that’s okay; it’s not being phony as much as it is trying to be of help during trying circumstances.  When we really feel another’s pain, tears will flow.  You have felt the different levels of sympathy, for sure.

The Bible says we have a Savior who feels what we feel; one who knows what it is like to face human suffering and tough times (Hebrews 4:14-16).  Read the gospel accounts of the life of Jesus and know full well that HE KNOWS.  He understands… He feels for you… in ways that no one else can. – Sympathy.  Share it today.

                          God’s best to you,     

                                   Lee