Divine Compassion

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

As a child, I was very quiet among others I didn’t know and even very observant towards those that I knew. I can remember my mom saying, “There is a time to speak up and a time to be quiet.” The hard part was distinguishing the difference.

I begin to get it. If I needed something in class, raise my hand and ask. If two adults were talking then be quiet. As a child I begin to get a handle on it. As I got older, it became more difficult as situations grew and I encountered different things/perspectives.

I begin to learn about truth and compassion.  As my prayer life increased, I begin to understand about the importance in prayer in my daily life of how I handled and encountered difficult situations. I learned about the wisdom and discernment of knowing when and how to speak up. I begin to understand that sometimes you have to speak up in uncomfortable situations for what you believe is right and even more so sometimes you have to stand even if you must stand alone. 

Greater compassion is light to someone trapped in darkness. Our light compels others to draw nigh to the truth that Jesus still saves. I am a reflection of who he is in the way that I speak to others and how I speak about others. So when I speak, I have learned to do it through compassion and allowing truth to speak for itself. I have learned to speak unselfishly in a way that builds up others. I have learned that if it doesn’t benefit or build up then it is better to just be quiet. I don’t always get it right, but I am learning more and more each day.