Compassion in suffering

Recently, my almost one-year-old daughter had to have a procedure done at the doctor's office. She was wide awake, and, although not in pain, she was terrified. I, on the other hand, just had to watch.

As parents, we hate to see our children suffering through anything, even something that lasts only a minute or two and leaves no lasting effects. But as I was watching this procedure, I began thinking about compassion.

I really wanted to get away. I wanted to stop her suffering, of course. I wished I could take it on myself for her. But mostly, at that moment, I just didn't want to see her suffer. I felt like I was trying to distance myself from it so as not to be moved. I fought the tears and refused to allow myself to really feel for her. I told myself that it would be over soon and that she would be just fine. And it was. And she is.

But then I began to think about the Lord's compassion for us, for those who fear Him. He doesn't feel the urge to get away or wish that we would just "buck up" and deal with it. He loves His people and, as our Shepherd, feels every hurt and heartache as His own.

Praise God for a Saviour who knows our frail frame and who knows our suffering! How I long to have compassion for others like Jesus has for us!