Empathy

As part of our school we are going to work on one word every week that will encourage us to be better people.  Today's word is Empathy.  One definition called it social intelligence and another the beginning of compassion.  I see it as being able to understand the feelings and emotions of those around you and also to consider how your actions and comments will affect those around you.  Its putting yourself in someone elses shoes and choosing to not judge them when their decision is not the same one you would make.  As Christians we need to pay close attention to this word and let empathy moderate everything we say or do because it only takes one unempathetic action to either turn someone away from God or to ruin our testimony.  It is necessary to remember that not everyone has the same experiences we do and if we act like they are lacking because their knowledge is different they will never be open to our way of thinking.  Empathy is understanding that we are the pebble thrown in a still pond and considering what the ripples will do to those around us before we do something.