Quotes about Empathy

Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose. I choose love . . . No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness.

Relationships don't thrive because the guilty are punished but because the innocent are merciful.

Imagine Jesus today: He is leaning over, bending down close to someone who is hurt. He's listening. His eyes fill with tears as He hears that person's troubles. Then His hand gently brushes away a tear. He was hurt once too. He understands.

Love extends an olive leaf to the loved one and says, "I have hope in you." Love is just as quick to say, "I have hope for you." You can say those words. You are a flood survivor. By God's grace you have found your way to dry land. You know what it's like to see the waters subside. And since you do, since you passed through a flood and lived to tell about it, you are qualified to give hope to someone else.

The people who make a difference are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern.

I keep thinking of all the people who cast despairing eyes toward the dark heavens and cry "Why?" And I imagine him. I imagine him listening. I picture his eyes misting and a pierced hand brushing away a tear. And although he may offer no answer, although he may solve no dilemma, although the question may freeze painfully in midair, he who also was once alone, understands.

Ponder this the next time your world goes from calm to chaos… . Jesus knows how you feel.

Happiness is found by giving it away.

Set it down, child. I'll carry that one.

Do this for someone. Ask someone to tell you his—or her—story. Resist the urge to interrupt or correct. Turn off the television. Log off from the internet. Close your laptop; silence your cell phone. Give the rarest of gifts: your full attention.

Don't characterize loners as aloof or crowd seekers as arrogant. They may be living out their story.

Jesus wept" (John 11:35).