The Need to Lead With Compassion

Have you ever made a mistake and were treated as if you’d just committed the biggest sin in the world?

Have you ever had your heart broken?

Have you ever suffered a horrific loss?

Have you ever felt so depressed you didn’t want to get out of bed?

Have you ever experienced anxiety?

Have you ever been homesick?

Have you ever prayed for something for a long time and realized the prayer might not be answered in the way you like?

Have you ever been stabbed in the back by someone you trusted?

Have you ever sat by the bedside of a dying loved one that is being taken too soon?

Have you ever gone through a divorce?

Have you ever said something unkind to someone and later felt disgusted with yourself and like a total jerk?

Have you ever had a huge fight with your spouse or friend, but had to go on with your day with a smile on your face anyway?

Have you ever had to tell an aging parent that you’re going to need to move them in to a nursing home?

Have you ever been in an abusive relationship and don’t see a way out?

Have you ever struggled with major self-doubt or even self-loathing?

Have you ever received news of something growing in your body that threatens to take your life?

Have you ever struggled with changing a bad habit, but your attempts are fruitless?

Have you ever felt miserably alone in a crowded world?

Friends, we don’t know what people are going through in their personal lives.  There are all kinds of opportunities in this world for pain, heartache, and suffering.  More than likely, you’ve been there.  I’ve been there, too.

We’ve all experienced a rude checker at the grocery store, a less than friendly customer service rep after being on hold for 27 minutes, an aggressive driver on the road, or someone who snaps at us for no reason.  This could just be a clueless person with poor manners, but more than likely, it’s someone going through a difficult time and their burden is manifesting itself in ugly ways.

Can you imagine If everyone walked around with a news-type ticker detailing what turmoil or pain was going on under the surface?  I think we’d be shocked at what some are shouldering at any given moment.

Some people hide pain well, managing to keep a smile on their face.  However, If you were to really look in their eyes, you would see their smile is only on the surface.  Others may act rude, short-tempered, or angry.  This behavior, while not a good thing, is often caused by fear, powerlessness, rejection, guilt, and vulnerability.

While we can’t change the fact that pain and suffering will occur, we can make a conscious decision on how we conduct ourselves with those we come in contact with in-person, over the phone, or online.

Let’s open our hearts.  Let’s extend grace.  Let’s think before we speak and act.  Let’s listen.  Let’s look in each others eyes.  Let’s open our arms.  Let’s forgive.  Let’s be kind to one another.

Let’s lead with compassion.

With love,

Jill xx