Pushing back against what limits our empathy.

Everywhere we look there seems to be opinions and arguments dividing.  Friends that once met together over coffee now disagreeing on social media.  Distance.  Separation.  Not only the distance created by social distancing in efforts to minimize the spread of this terrible virus.  But friends and family creating distance between one another because of the strong stance they have taken on mask wearing, religion, politics, etc.  This side or that side.  You are wrong...I am right.  How can you possibly believe that? 

All of this confusion, misinformation and division seems to be limiting our ability to really SEE each other and to show empathy.  We squint our eyes so that only our own perspective is in view.  We tune out another story or perspective if it doesn't fit into the lense we want to use to categorize our world right now.

Empathy. The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

So can we possibly push back against what limits our empathy?

Maybe we can pray for the pastors, not criticize them. These faithful ones are now shepherding an even more divided flock of sheep. How difficult must it be for elders and church leaders to make decisions to keep their congregants safe and yet minister to the hurting and struggling right now.  How difficult must it be to navigate all of our opinions and beliefs. I wonder how that must feel to be carrying that weight.

Maybe we can pray for those parenting during a pandemic, instead of being critical of the decisions they make.  These parents are trying to keep up with work life, some now juggling online learning with their work demands and also trying to make the right decisions about what boundaries to set for their kids.  How heavy it must feel to shoulder another responsibility to keep their child on track for their grade level learning and also determining when to say "no" to commitments that bring so much joy to their child.

Maybe we can pray for the veteran who just can't understand why people would question the privilege we have living in this country, instead of thinking them insensitive to the struggles in our nation right now.  How infuriating it must be to read comments on social media from disgruntled Americans challenging the very country he/she fought for, the one he/she witnessed friends fight and die for.  I wonder the feelings that must stir in the deepest part of their very souls.

Maybe we can pray for the one that has lost a loved one to Covid, instead of questioning the seriousness of this virus.  I wonder how it must feel to have to wake each morning without that person and know that some people still think this virus is a hoax.  How heart wrenching it must be to read the next article claiming that people should refuse to wear masks and ignore guidance because Covid is just instilling fear and here to take away our rights in our country. That virus didn't take away your rights, it took your loved one.  It was a real thief.  How crippling that must feel.

Maybe we can pray for the teachers, instead of criticizing that they are doing too much or too little.  They are the ones now flipping a switch to online learning, yet many teachers are still risking their very health by showing up in person each day.  Their livelihood has changed dramatically and their profession has now become essential without the pay or respect that reflects the self sacrificing they are being required to do.  How exhausting that must be.

Maybe we can pray for those experiencing oppression because of the color of their skin, instead of trying to justify the institutions and policies that still exist today. They have experienced firsthand the unjust, racist actions of others and still shoulder that heavy load today.  How difficult it must be to listen to people disregard their suffering.  How hurtful and suffocating that must feel.

Maybe we can pray for our current and future government leaders, instead of demoralizing and villainizing them to be the enemy.  They wake up each day, brush their teeth and look in the mirror just like we do.  But I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to stand with that heavy load of responsibility constantly bearing down on their shoulders.  With such division running rampid, how does it feel to know that people look to you to make the right decisions.  However, those people have so many varying opinions of what the "right" decision is.   How absolutely draining that must be.

I believe that prayer is absolutely vital to shifting us toward more empathy for others, but so are our actions.  Actually show up for someone that thinks differently than you.  Instead of offering feedback or your own perspective, sit and listen.  Sometimes shutting up and listening is the biggest action you can take.  Our actions are the small step, the one foot in front of the other move to place our feet in another's place.  When you find yourself taking action to love someone that doesn't share your same experiences and perspective, you grow.  You grow empathy.

Empathy sometimes feels uncomfortable, like you may be supporting something you strongly disagree with.  But I am challenging your thinking and my own thinking today with this:

Maybe that uncomfortableness is actually moving me to be more loving, more compassionate, more human but with a heavenly perspective, more of who God has created me to be.  Maybe by doing this, we are pushing back against the limits we put in place by our narrow perspectives.  Maybe by loving each other and growing in empathy, we may actually SEE each other in our own personal suffering under the weights we bear.  Maybe then, we may finally start moving in a better direction.

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind." 

1 Peter 3:8