Compassion

[Guest]

What do you do as a Christian, when you have lost the compassion for others? I have seen so much pain, and had so much pain, that I have not feelings for others. I fake it, which seems to work for them. But leaves me unfulfilled.

Have others gone through this? Is this normal? Is there hope? How do other professionals handle this, in a practical way?

Mary

[CTidwell3]

First of all, you are not alone. IMO, one of satan's favorite tricks is to make us think that somehow we are different than everyone else, and when we buy into this, we are reluctant to say anything when we have problems, since we feel that no one will understand.

It's good that you can say what you have said. It is important to have someone or someplace to be able to express yourself. Others may be able to give more direct advice from their own experiences, but I just want to post this much to let you know you are not alone and that there is hope.

Chet Tidwell

[Ted Oplinger]

Mary,

First, a welcome to Club Adventist. I note this is your first post. I hope that you will frequent here often.

To address your dilemna...I think it's called "burn out". You can only run at 100 meter dash speeds for so long before your body gives out. Likewise with our emotions and intellect. You are not alone in this; I tend to think every Christian faces this at some point in their walk with Christ. Some more than once. The challenge is recognizing what is going on.

The fact that you're asking the question tells me the compassion is still there, so you're not losing the ability to be compassionate. Without more info to go on, it appears like you're emotionally /spiritually weary from constant contact with whatever you're dealing with. There's no need to feel guilty about it...just need to recognize this for what it is. Satan wishes you to be discouraged, but Christ wishes to build you up. And we both know faking it isn't the answer. So, what to do?

I've found that when I think I've reached the end of my rope, I appeal to Christ. If I don't have the strength/capacity for something, I ask the Lord to be my capacity, my strength, because He will not give me more than I can handle. Even during those times the Lord really loaded up my plate (like it is right now), Christ is my compassion, my strength to go on. I look to the Lord, and He says to me, "Just a little bit further. My grace is sufficient for your weakness. Do it one step at a time." Sometimes, one step is all I can give Him, but if one step is all He's asked for, who can say I'm not doing as the Lord asks?

On the other hand, I have in times past taken on more than the Lord asked Me to - and suffered burn out because of it. Did He chide me? No...just allowed me to take a longer break from things than is usual. But He always brings me back to the walk.

Mary, is it possible to take a sabbatical from it all? To recharge, find renewed strength in Christ?

Time away from service is not a sin, particularly when a break is needed.

With the little bit you gave, that's all I venture to reply for now.

Hope this helps.

Iron Deacon

<small>[ April 15, 2002, 10:30 PM: Message edited by: Iron Deacon ]</small>

[Neil D]

When you are cold, you remidy that with warmth...if you are near a fire, you are constantly trying to warm one side then the other...You want to get closer to the fire to stay warm...if you get too close, you eventually get burnt...

I suspect that you have been burnt...You kinda notice it when you have these red blisters....best thing to do is to "come away for a while"...You need to get recharged...I suggest a spiritual retreat, one that you are interested in...do something differernt, and have lots of prayer, both by you and for you by others...

Lean on Jesus and tell him your problems....He will guide your healing...