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A wise woman grows in becoming compassionate.  It takes time to be a compassionate woman. It takes time to listen, time to care, time to walk a mile with someone who needs a hand. A compassionate woman extends her arms to embrace those less fortunate than herself.  She looks for opportunities to be generous.

Her time and her resources are shared from a caring heart.  A compassionate woman pays attention to the needs of those around her and especially to the needs of her family. She listens – really listens to what others say. She hears with her heart as well as with her ears. Her eyes are open to recognize the blessing she receives as she responds with a caring heart.

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9, NIV)

To grow in compassion ask God to give you a generous heart one that shares not only time and resources but also love.

Faithful God,  I know my heart is often callous to the needs of those around me. I feel there just isn’t time to care. I know You have placed me where I am to love those around me. Give me a desire to have a generous heart. Open my eyes and my ears to the needs of those in my circle of influence. Please multiply my time back to me as I choose to care. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Questions: Think of some opportunities where you can be generous in helping someone.  If your heart is callous towards others, how can you change that?

About the Author Gail Rodgers

Domonic, our two and a half year old grandson was “helping” Papa (Grandpa) do some much-needed spring clean up in the back yard. Our backyard is terraced, so when we went to the second layer he started to cry. I asked him why he was crying, and he said, “Me Scaredy!”  It turned out he was scared because he had seen the wild deer wander across that part of the yard in the past, and he was afraid that they might come while we were there. I sat down and enfolded him in my arms, then asked, “Do you think Papa can take care of you? Do you think your Papa can chase the deer away?” He calmed down and seemed to like the idea that Papa could chase the “scary” deer away.

I realized I am not so different than Domonic. I have fears, too. I attempt to deal with fears in a variety of ways. I don’t tend to cry like Domonic did, but I get mad, worried, withdrawn, defensive, over analytical or immobilized, just to mention a few. In the same way that I enfolded Domonic in my arms and assured him I could take care of him, I need to experience God’s embrace in moments of fear and be reassured.

I remember one dark star-filled night walking alone, perplexed and with tears running down my face, crying out to God for help. His response was not verbal but it was so clear. It was as if God was saying to me, His child, “Who made these stars and put them in place? Do you think I’m big enough to handle your problems and fears?” In that moment my fears seemed to shrink, and in a fresh way I understood God’s presence and power. The problem did not go away but I had confidence to move forward knowing God would care of me.

In a world that has many uncertainties the words from Psalm 147 can bring comfort. God is big enough to comfort His child in the midst of all possible fears!

“Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them. Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite. The Lord supports the afflicted; He brings down the wicked to the ground” (Psalm 147:1-6 (NIV).

Questions: How do you respond in the face of fear? What steps can you start to take to help you face the future positively and without fear?

About the Author Mike Woodard

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Help for Hard Times, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog