Christian Family Services Ministry

12-14-2020 – A Word to the Wise – THE ACQUISTION OF MERCY: Why and how

Patience is obtained through endurance of unpleasant situations or circumstances. How often I hear, “I will not ever pray for the Lord to teach me patience again.” Usually this follows a very trying experience. The person is unwilling to undergo the character training necessary to produce the character quality of patience.

The character quality of Mercy is obtained in much the same manner, however it involves the experience of significant pain; emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual. Acquiring Mercy is very painful. Not long ago I was explaining to a client the painful process necessary if one was to develop the trait, and its benefit to others. The individual let me know quite bluntly they had no desire to acquire Mercy they would do just fine without it. How unfortunate. It reminds me of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus wanting to be a disciple. Once learning the cost he decided to choose a different path.

So it is with Mercy. Perhaps we should offer a glimmer of insight into the benefits of the merciful before we count the cost. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount tells us that the one who is merciful will obtain Mercy. We will see something of the value of that blessing shortly.

You see the person who has perfected this quality acts like a sponge when in the presence of pain. But not their own, only for others. It takes considerable selflessness to practice mercy.

One of the most perplexing aspects of this quality is exactly what does the Mercy do with the pain removed from others?

First let’s look at the whole process. First one senses pain in another. Next they have to make a decision whether to respond. There is always a choice involved. Third usually physical contact is made with the individual. Touching the person’ their hand, ect. Then the process begins and the suffering is drawn off the other person. When finished the other person actually, physically or emotionally feels better. The next step is the most perplexing and unfortunately rarely learned by the person exercising the quality. What does the Mercy do with all the pain? If they keep it to themselves they get sick, particularly if emotional pain.

The Mercy must pick up the scriptures, particularly the Psalms and meditate. I compiled a list. It is not just one, it is about three pages of just certain sections that are slowly read. In the process the pain is surrender to the Lord and then is gone. The final experience is one of extreme fatigue and one has to rest, usually sleep. The whole process begins again.

I should note that often the Mercy is better at one type of pain or another; physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional rarely all.

I must repeat, to practice this quality the person must have themselves experienced a lot of lifelong pain. Now just who is going to volunteer for that?

These different stages are necessary for the Mercy if he is to successfully reduce suffering. Now why would anyone want to go through all of this pain? Is it worth it? God’s Word tells us that this is exactly what Jesus did for us and leaves us with the example that we might do it for others.

Who are those most apt to develop these skills? First of all those who have been given the gift of Mercy which represents about 30 % of the general population. Second born children, are another group representing a large segment of society who tend to desire this trait. A combination of the two, one possessing the gift of Mercy and second born individuals makes the ability very intense. Material on the Motivation Gifts gives more details on all seven gifts and particularly the gift of Mercy.