As women, we think a lot about what to wear, do we not? Sometimes, too much. We have certain outfits for different occasions; and certain accessories to go with those outfits. Once in a while, we even open up our closets, look at hangers of clothing and deem, we have nothing to wear. But, the amount of clothing we have isn’t everything. There are so many in this world who only have a few suitable outfits but can be dressed to perfection each and every day. No matter if our closets are full or not, what we put on spiritually is so much more important than the fashion we don on the outside.
It’s all about who we are in Christ.
In Christ,
We are the elect of God.
We are holy.
We are beloved.
Therefore...we can put on these traits that reflect Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
Colossians 3:10 states that once we’re in Christ, we have “put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”
In Christ, we have a renewed knowledge, whereas we are able to see, with the right perspective, who we are in Him. We’ve been created in the image of God, and finally, in Christ, our lens allows us to see ourselves and Him more clearly. Knowing these things, we can then decide (daily, not just once) to put on the characteristics of our new man– the characteristics that line up with Godly character.
I call this the Godly Woman Wardrobe. If you haven’t read the quick summary of all 7 pieces of the wardrobe, start here: 7 Things Every Christian Woman Should Wear.
Now, are you ready for your first outfit, sister?
Let’s dive into Tender Mercies.
What is Compassion?
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies… Colossians 3:12 NKJV
Tender mercies is a fancy way of saying compassion. The Hebrew and Greek words translated “compassion” in the Bible mean “to have mercy, to feel sympathy and to have pity.” Compassion is a necessary part of the Christian life. We weren’t meant to live on an island, only concerned with ourselves and our own affairs. We live in a broken world full of sin, and that sin brings pain, hurt, loss, and need. Whereas we can’t solve every problem in all of the world, the Lord doesn’t want us to be blind to what’s right in front of us either.
Compassion comes to life as we live out 1 Corinthians 13, fully embodying what Christ-like love looks like. We are kind; we show patience; we seek the welfare of others; we give others hope and endure with them.
When our eyes are open and we see others how the Lord sees them, we are able to slow down, step into their shoes, and seek Him for ways to help.
The Lord is our example. As the creator and master of compassion Himself– He is our guide. We only need to look to Him for ways to show compassion.
Examples of Compassion
We have so many examples of compassion in the Bible. How could we not? Our God is all-knowing, loving, patient, and powerful. He sees our needs and hears the cries of those who call to Him (Nehemiah 9:9-10).
“As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Just as when your child is tired, you are more patient, you understand their unruly behavior a bit better, and you don’t expect too much of them— this is God's way with us. In His wisdom, although He knows the end from the beginning, He remembers our lowly state, that we are but dust, and has compassion on us in our times of suffering, lamenting, sorrow, weariness, and grief.
As we do with our own kids, He remembers that we too are but children— His children. In our frailty, weakness, and stumbles, He has mercy and compassion. It’s almost beyond our understanding and comprehension– the amount of compassion He has toward us.
This compassion comes to those who fear Him— the reverential fear of the Lord. It’s for those who love Him and call Him Father; for His daughters, those of us who are in Christ: holy, beloved, and the elect of God.
Jesus, being 100% both God and Man, in having the character of God, not only had the Father-like compassion described here, but as Son of Man, He was able to sympathize and empathize with our weaknesses. He experienced and expressed this compassion during His time here on earth.
Remember that time He looked over the great crowd that was following Him, and He desired to teach them many things because in His compassion He saw they were like a sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34)?
Or, what about the time He came ashore and met a great crowd, immediately had compassion on them, and began to heal their sick (Matthew 14:14)?
And, perhaps one of the most relatable times Jesus showed compassion– when He was at Lazarus’s gravesite. Although He knew what He was about to do, He wept. (John 11:33-35).
We aren’t all-powerful like God, but sister, we do have the power of the Holy Spirit in us. Following His lead, we too can show compassion to others in similar ways as we look upon their state, see their need, and allow God to use us to fill it.
Showing Compassion: 5 Biblical Ways
Showing compassion to others isn’t a one-size-fits-all. It will look different for each of us in every situation we encounter. But when we make the decision to live for the Lord on purpose we will seek ways to please Him, and one way to do that is to show care for those whom He created in ways He tells us to. Here are 5 biblical ways to show compassion:
#1: Comfort those who are going through what you’ve been through.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. -2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Our God is the God of all comfort. His love extends to the deepest depths of our soul, our grief, and our struggles. Because we experience His comfort in our times of need, we then have the framework for how we can give the same type of comfort to others.
Navigating our own struggles gives us the understanding, sympathy, and empathy needed to help someone else go through the same situation in the future. We can reach out to them appropriately, say the right words, or do what is most helpful to them because we have “been there, done that.” One of the greatest forms of compassion felt by another is the realization that someone “gets them” or understands.
Use your trials as the testimonies and “work experience” needed to guide someone who’s currently on a similar journey.
showing compassion: a look at Romans 12 (free download)
Being intentional in our actions yields a life that brings glory to God— but only when our actions line up with His Word! Romans 12 has so much wisdom for us in how to treat others and how to show compassion on a daily basis. Download your FREE copy featuring 25 ways to encourage, build up and show compassion to others. Fill out the form below.
#2: Compassion is shown by doing.
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. -1 John 3:17-18 NKJV
Oftentimes, much more good is done by doing, not by saying. We may not always have the right words, but we can have the right actions. When we see a need, we can step up and do something to help. It simply takes a watchful eye, a watchful heart, and the willingness to extend what we have (time, effort, money, possessions) to another person.
Let us not “shut up our hearts” from one another. Showing compassion is synonymous with showing God’s love.
#3: Don’t judge others for the situations they’re in.
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. -Matthew 7:1-2 ESV
It’s easy to look at someone with a critical eye and judge their mistakes against your better judgment. We all are infallible humans who are tempted by a sinful world. We all have the free will to decide whether or not we will choose to walk by the Spirit in a moment. None of us choose perfectly 100% percent of the time.
Showing compassion means we step alongside a person and show them the love of God. We offer them the truth of the Word, encourage them to get back on track and help them see more clearly the path of wisdom if they’ve decided to deviate to foolishness.
Yes, we must stay on guard ourselves so we don’t fall into similar temptation, but at the same time, we offer grace, not judgment.
#4: Rejoice or weep with those who do likewise.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. -Romans 12:15 ESV
Live where they are. As sisters in Christ, the Lord implores us to be actively involved in each other’s lives. In the good times– be the person standing alongside your sister, cheering for her or with her. Rejoice in all things honorable and rejoiceable. And, in the hard circumstances and trials of life, hold up her arms, offer kind words, or be the shoulder on which she can cry. We need each other in all seasons of life. Be sure to show up. If nothing else, just show up.
#5: Keep your eyes open and follow the Lord’s lead.
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. -Mark 6:34
During Jesus’s time here on earth, one thing we can’t deny was that He noticed people– all the time, in every situation. The God who sees, still sees us today; and He desires that we see people too. Be a person who notices– the person alone, the one who is hurting, the friendless, and helpless. The child; the widow; the sick. It takes being perceptive and patient to see the need; then it takes prayer to know what action to take. In all these things we need to have our eyes wide open– looking above to heavenly things enough to know what the Lord would have us do according to His will (Colossians 3:1-2).
Showing compassion is a beautiful expression of a life lived for the glory of God. As we pursue Christ and His righteousness, we become more and more like Him. His desires become our desires, and therefore we become His hands and feet.
We just need to be usable. Be willing. Be loving.
Bible verses about compassion
There are so many Bible verses about compassion. Here are a few to get you started as you daily choose to put on tender mercies.
Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJV
This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Galatians 6:2 NKJV
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Peter 3:8 NKJV
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
Psalm 86:15 NKJV
But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.
2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Matthew 14:14 NKJV
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Be sure to read the rest of the 7-part Godly Woman Wardrobe series!
