675) When I hear or read the word, compassion, it soothes my soul. It’s like my entire body has been tense–ready to run, fight or hide and then I hear compassion and I automatically relax my muscles. What is it about compassion that can cause this blessed reaction? It is in discovering the meaning of the word found in Exodus 34:7. Compassion in the Hebrew language comprises two things: mercy and forgiveness. These meanings portray a characteristic of God that has great healing. If you grew up thinking that God is solely a judge, ready to dish out punishments, it’s not a balanced understanding (on the limited level of understanding that humans have concerning God.) This verse says that God is compassionate; He gives mercy, not giving out a punishment we deserve, and forgiveness, similar to a pardon. Mercy and forgiveness make up the formula of compassion. Dare to embrace this.