This week Pastor Monica approaches a subject that is very close to her heart. Recognizing and addressing other’s pain. Empathy is a simple thing, it is something the human brain develops naturally. We expect others to have empathy so much so, that much of the mental health field is focused on helping individuals who don’t display empathy!

Despite this, empathy is easy to forget to practice. We start to focus on ourselves, our own desires, what makes us comfortable and fail to see to the needs of others as important. We may even start to become annoyed with the needs of others.

Jesus addressed the need for empathy, and the need for seeking out those in need.

³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:35-40

Let the words of Jesus sit in your heart. While He wants us to care for ourselves, He does not credit that as though you cared for Him. He says, when you take care of the needs of others, you are taking care of His needs. That is an amazing thought. If you ever asked yourself, “God, how do I serve you?” Simply look for the people in need. Jesus told us, what you do for those people, you do for me.