Luke 6:36 (NLT)
“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
When it comes to understanding God’s nature, one of the most beautiful and comforting aspects is His compassion. I’ve had conversations with friends and fellow believers who struggle with misconceptions about God. They often don’t see Him this way, but instead view Him as distant, waiting for us to mess up so He can condemn us in shame. This is not the picture of God that His Word paints.
A good friend of mine once told me he felt the need to take a break from pursuing God because he believed God was angry with him. He thought God was disappointed by his mistakes and far removed from his struggles. Thankfully, I was able to share a deeper understanding of who God truly is. Our Heavenly Father is loving, merciful, and full of compassion. When I showed my friend this truth in the Scriptures, he began to experience God’s grace in a new and powerful way.
Compassion means having a deep sympathy and sorrow for another’s suffering, and it comes with a desire to make their pain go away. God’s compassion is more than just a feeling; it’s active and genuine, and He is always seeking to heal, restore, and draw us closer to Himself. The Bible reveals our Heavenly Father’s compassionate heart. In Psalm 139:17 (NLT), it says, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!” The psalmist understood this beautiful truth, that God thinks about us constantly, with love and tenderness. We are never far from His heart, and His thoughts toward us are always full of care and concern.
Colossians 1:19 (NLT) says, “For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ.” Our Lord and Savior is fully God and fully human, and when he dwelt among us on the earth, we see a complete picture of God’s heart. Through his life, we see God’s compassion in action. Jesus didn’t just feel for people; he acted on his love and mercy. A perfect example of this is found in Matthew 9:36 (NLT), where it says, “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Jesus didn’t look at the crowds and criticize them. He saw their struggles and was moved to do something about it—teaching them, healing them, and giving them hope.
Another example is in Matthew 14:14 (NLT), “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Jesus never turned away anyone who was in need; his heart was always open to helping. His compassion wasn’t selective or conditional; it was extended to the hurting, the lost, the broken-hearted, and the sick. And, he calls us to follow his example.
So, how do we show compassion in our own lives? First, we need to recognize that compassion starts with the heart. It’s about seeing the people around us through God’s eyes—feeling their pain and wanting to help ease it. In our daily lives, we can show compassion by listening when someone is struggling, offering a helping hand when someone is in need, or even just praying for someone who’s going through a tough time. It’s easy to get caught up in our own busy lives, but God calls us to pause, to take notice of the needs of those around us, and to respond with kindness and love.
Being compassionate is so beneficial to our Christian walk, and if we lack compassion, we should be praying that the Father will do a work in our hearts. Our responsibility as ambassadors of Christ is to represent him in the earth, and we need to have the same heart he has. Compassion opens our hearts, deepens our relationships, and strengthens our relationship with God through Christ. When we are compassionate, we reflect God’s nature to the world. In Micah 6:8 (NLT), God says, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Compassion is a reflection of God’s character, and He requires it from us.
Living with compassion also helps us prepare for meaningful relationships, especially marriage. Compassion is the foundation of healthy communication, empathy, and emotional support. In marriage, as in all relationships, understanding and helping your partner through their struggles is key. By practicing compassion, we create an environment of trust, love, and grace, where both partners can grow and thrive.
God’s compassion isn’t just a feeling; it’s a powerful, life-changing force that transforms us from the inside out. When we open our hearts to His compassion, we begin to reflect His love in everything we do. As we embrace His heart, our relationships—whether with friends, family, or a significant other—grow deeper, stronger, and more meaningful.
Living with compassion isn’t just about showing kindness; it’s about bringing healing, hope, and restoration to those around us. It’s a radical shift that redefines how we love, how we care, and how we share Christ’s love with everyone we hold dear. Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we can genuinely and powerfully reflect the light of Christ. His compassion becomes the foundation of all our relationships, reshaping how we see ourselves and others, and leading us toward deeper, more meaningful bonds. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“God Is Compassionate”, written by KLizzie, edited by Reverend Fran Mack, for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2025. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.