1139) Sometimes someone we love is going through difficult circumstances. These events may be physical, relational, spiritual, or emotional. It doesn’t matter if these result from something this person did or something someone did to them. Regardless of its origin, we often don’t know what to do.

Should we talk with them and if so, what should we say? Should we seek them out or leave them be so they can regain their balance?

We often hear people don’t want our pity, but we can be compassionate with them during these times. So that brings us to the next question. What is compassion?

The word compassion comes from the Latin word compati, which means to suffer with. We can choose to suffer with someone going through difficulties. This might mean simply to sit with them and open ourselves to feel what they are feeling. We, most likely, can’t change their circumstances, but we can be there for them during it.

If God, who knows everything about us, is compassionate toward us, or suffers with us, we should freely give this gift to others.  Psalm 103:4