Empathy Towards Those Hurting

[Born_Again]

I have an interesting one for you. I was driving down the road this morning and I came upon a car with a woman in it. I'm assuming she was Catholic as there was a rosary hanging from her mirror. (irrelevant really but obviously has some relationship with God) I started to get a feeling of despair. I felt this was odd because I was in the middle of jamming to Casting Crowns on the radio and all about the praise!!! As we continued down the road she actually started showing signs of worry, despair and a heavy weight on her heart. She had her head resting in her hand on the door with a look of worry and going considerably under the speed limit.

It was if I could feel her pain. I so badly wanted to flag her down and ask if she was okay and let her know that whatever was weighing on her to give it to the Lord. But highways are a bad place to do this. I soon pulled away as the speed limit increased and as she became a spec in my mirror the feeling of despair and hurt lifted from me.

So my question is this: Is it possible, to be so close to the Lord or so strong in your faith that you can, without seeing physical signs or talking to a person, sense the hurt they feel?

 

[Johnlove]

I have an interesting one for you. I was driving down the road this morning and I came upon a car with a woman in it. I'm assuming she was Catholic as there was a rosary hanging from her mirror. (irrelevant really but obviously has some relationship with God) I started to get a feeling of despair. I felt this was odd because I was in the middle of jamming to Casting Crowns on the radio and all about the praise!!! As we continued down the road she actually started showing signs of worry, despair and a heavy weight on her heart. She had her head resting in her hand on the door with a look of worry and going considerably under the speed limit.

It was if I could feel her pain. I so badly wanted to flag her down and ask if she was okay and let her know that whatever was weighing on her to give it to the Lord. But highways are a bad place to do this. I soon pulled away as the speed limit increased and as she became a spec in my mirror the feeling of despair and hurt lifted from me.

So my question is this: Is it possible, to be so close to the Lord or so strong in your faith that you can, without seeing physical signs or talking to a person, sense the hurt they feel?

[SIZE=16pt]I believe one can’t trust his or her feelings. Feelings can and are manipulated by Satan.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=16pt]Ask Jesus if you should do anything to help those you believe need help. [/SIZE]

 

[Born_Again]

I only found it odd because after have the feelings she then started to display those feelings with her body language. I'm really good at reading body language as I am actually trained and certified in reading body language. I am an internal investigator and fraud investigator for a major corporation.

It just kinda blew my mind to have the emotions before she displayed the corresponding body language...... But you are correct. You most certainly can not always trust feelings and emotions.

 

[Angelina]

So my question is this: Is it possible, to be so close to the Lord or so strong in your faith that you can, without seeing physical signs or talking to a person, sense the hurt they feel?

You probably have the gift of knowledge but are not fully aware of it...When you come across someone like that again...pray for them and their present situation or concerns. Bring it up to God and ask him to divinely intervene on her/his present situation. Pray until the burden is lifted whether they are still visual or not...pray till the burden lifts.

 

[Born_Again]

You probably have the gift of knowledge but are not fully aware of it...When you come across someone like that again...pray for them and their present situation or concerns. Bring it up to God and ask him to divinely intervene on her/his present situation. Pray until the burden is lifted whether they are still visual or not...pray till the burden lifts.

Gift of knowledge? Can you elaborate?

 

[Angelina]

It's the ability to get a glimpse into someone's life [through the Holy Spirit] enabling you to understand their situation. Wisdom teaches us how to then apply what you have understood based on the knowledge that has been imparted... :) Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom collectively = discernment.

 

[aspen]

Empathy is part of the human experience, but we have to practice it in our fallen state. I believe it is a critical skill to master in order to truly love people unconditionally. Sounds like you are practicing your sanctification.

 

[Angelina]

The hardest bit is knowing what to do with the knowledge you have gained via the HS. This is where wisdom comes in. Praying for people is the best option when discerning someone's heart.

 

[Born_Again]

I did pray for her after I got going down the road. I hope the Lord eased her pain.

Since my walk with Christ has grown, I have really gotten a deeper understanding of others pain. Occasionally the devil tries to get a selfish hold on me but I do my best to fight it off. I have noticed the devil does not like it all. He has tried to throw me off the path numerous times. But I stay strong. This is why I wish everyone would be able to feel the love of Christ. It is so amazing to be able to feel His love for others. Its a feeling like no other.