Fear.
It’s something that affects us all—at least those of us who are still breathing. Therefore, if that last breath was your final one you can stop reading for the rest of this post is no longer relevant.
With that statement alone I may have just stoked the very fear burning within your own heart. The fear of death can be debilitating for many.
Fear, as we define it, is the feeling of great apprehension towards something that might happen or is sure to happen. And it’s with this very definition we surmise the remedy for such a feeling is bravery and courage.
How many of our heroes are labeled as such because of their ability to have bravery in the face of the greatest danger? War heroes, faith heroes, and personal heroes are usually those marked by their willingness to attack fear aided by their victorious spirit.
In today’s world when we think of bravery in the face of fear we might imagine someone who stands up for their beliefs knowing they are not held nor accepted by the popular majority. The threatening of one’s job, the smearing of one’s reputation, and the unrelenting harassment that might come are certainly realistic fears in our day. Those willing to speak out when the opposition says “quiet” is something that inspires us all.
But what if I told you that this is not the only courageous response in the wake of such fear? What if I told you that sometimes such an outspoken sense of bravery isn’t necessarily what’s needed? What if I told you that the greatest remedy for this kind of fear could be love and compassion for those on the opposing side?
Sounds like the opposite of courage, doesn’t it? But consider this—what does it cost someone to stand up for what they believe if they truly believe it? What is the sacrifice for someone to speak out on an issue that they are truly passionate about? You might say acceptance but what if they already knew that would be a consequence or they were already lacking acceptance in their life anyway? What courage does it take then?
On the other hand, what does it take to show compassion? Compassion for those who disagree, oppose, and maybe even despise you and your beliefs costs quite a bit. Compassion is a concern for someone else that many times results in meeting their needs in sacrifice of one’s own. Isn’t that what Jesus did?
“When Jesus heard [it], He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.”
Matthew 14:13-14
When Jesus had heard of the unjust murder of his earthly cousin, John the Baptist, He sought some time alone. But then He saw the multitudes who had other needs and He responded with compassion to meet them. So, what does this have to do with fear?
Fear is always the black-caped, mustache-twirlin’ villain of true compassion. Lurking behind many of those opinions we stand up for or speak out on is a fear that maybe those who differ might “win” the argument or, worse, seek to take advantage of our kindness if we let it show. As long as these fears exist within our hearts, those on the opposing front remain the victims tied to the tracks as the train of our compassionless side comes rumbling their way.
Compassion is not a compromise of belief as the Enemy would love for us to believe; it’s simply a greater understanding of the belief itself and those who oppose it. Let it be clear that proclaiming Biblical truth is never “hate speech” no matter whom it might offend, but speaking such truth absent of compassion is speech spoken hatefully. To declare with such a spirit might preserve God’s truth but could also tarnish His reputation and those who claim Him. In an eagerness to emulate Christ by declaring those who disagree with us a “brood of vipers,” we can many times fail to echo His more prominent claims of compassion.
So, where’s the compassion?
Where’s my compassion?
Where’s your compassion?
The answer is the same my mother used to give when I would misplace that very important toy at my childhood home—“It’s right where you left it.”
Honestly, that answer never really helped much but it did cause me to think through the problem, retrace my steps, and eventually find the thing that was lost. (Thanks mom!) I truly believe if we think through the problem, retrace our steps, and find the compassion we lost it will make our fight against these fears a little less like a fight to be won and a bit more like a person on a cross. The very One who was forgiving those who were, in their minds, taking His life from Him.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34
Is there a more magnificent picture of compassion than that? Is there any greater example of an absence of fear? I think Jesus was on to something. And I think others were aware.
“So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, ‘Truly this Man was the Son of God!’”
Mark 15:39
Overcome the fear of those who differ with compassion. For it might be then, and only then, that this fear is removed altogether as Christ’s heart is revealed.
I only wish He was here to exemplify this to our modern world inundated with countless social-media debates and angry-face-emojis.
But, remarkably, He’s left it with us.
“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20
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