3-29-2021 – A Word to the Wise – UNDERSTANDING THE PART COMPASSION PLAYS USING THE GIFTS.
Three of the gifts are talented in working with others in the healing process. Each takes a different approach with different results.
The Mercy deals primarily with pain; emotional or physical. Essentially they sit with the person listen to them maybe sys things to calm when necessary. It is a very slow process that should not be rushed.
The expected effects on the person are relief from anxiety which lessens the pain.
Now, the part often missed and neglected is the effects on the Mercy.
When Mercy takes the pain off of another they are taking it onto themselves. They now carry the pain that was the other person.
Jesus refers to the cost in one of his healing situations.
A certain woman, who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things by many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, 27 having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd, and touched his clothes. 28 For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
30 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd, and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 His disciples said to him, “You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”
(WEB)
Two very important details; first the Mercy must have the authority to act. With the Gifts, one never acts without authority because the purpose is to give the Lord, not ourselves, the praise.
Then notice Jesus says; which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven; ’or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?
This indicates that it cost to person to heal another.
So what does it cost the Mercy? The effect of pain on us is stress. Stress is emotionally difficult. This is the problem often the Mercy will go for years carrying the burdens of others until they break down. So what is necessary is to learn to give up the pain quickly after absorbing it. We will address how in a moment. For now, let’s label this as being compassionate.
The second Gift that works with emotional or physical pain is the Exhorter. Like Mercy, the Exhorter works one on one more effectively. However, where Mercy actually lifts the burdened off individuals the Exhorter has the individual verbalize the problems and reasons with the person about why they are suffering and what needs to be done to deal with the problem. So to contrast these two Gifts one is silent yet lifts the burden onto themselves while the other reason addresses root problems in an effort to cause the person to address the problem and utilize the solution.
8 Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— 11 “I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.” (WEB)
This intercession cost the Exhorter. What? Why? It takes time effort, learning, and prayer to deal with others.
So like the Mercy, if it is not released it will burn out the Exhorter.
The third Gift that works with the emotions and the body is the Prophet. This gift detects and challenges sin in the life of another person and confronts the individual. This is a terrific risk to the Prophet. They experience rejection at every turn. They have few friends. It cost them dearly. It cost Jesus his life.
Like the other two gifts, the Prophet experiences long-term problems by exercising their gift. What does it cost? Physical, emotional, spiritual energy. The result is always fatigue and the energy has to be restored. How?
Step one, the situation in each of these instances has to be given to the Lord. By telling the Lord who the person is, what the problem is, and asking him to take it into his hands.
Moreover, an inquiry has to be made about the root problem and authority for dealing with the person.
Step two, the person has to exercise compassion on themselves. So what does that mean?
There are several ways one receives compassion for themselves, some good, some bad.
The negative ways we comfort ourselves maybe addictive type activities, drugs, alcohol, sex, money, games whatever we comfort ourselves with. These distract us from the burdens but do not relieve them.
Which ones does the Lord approve of us and in fact comforts our spirits and soothes our emotions?
Music is one. We are instructed in this in I Samuel 16.
Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. 15 Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. 16 Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.” (WEB)
In our time a suggestion that seems to bring the most comfort is music from the older hymns song without instrumental background with some exceptions. Definitely not music with a backbeat.
The second form of spiritual comfort which soothes the spirit is certain passages from scripture. Many from Psalms, the gospels, and Paul’s writings, and godly books.
These tend to be effective with the three gifts: Mercy, Server, and Prophet.
o compassion is offered by these three gifts in different terms but addressing the emotions and the soul.
The other four gifts Giver, Server, Organizer, Teacher offer compassion in another manner. These are nonemotional gifts so compassion is offered in a physical or intellectual manner.
So the Server observes a person under great stress. The Server and Giver look for physical ways to relieve the stress and be compassionate. The Server will look for ways to physically relieve the person by doing chores or helping in a physical manner. Comforting self also by a physical means, making, building, painting, etc.
The Giver relieves stress financially and for the largest part of society financial problems seem to be a source of many difficulties. So giving becomes a chief way of expressing compassion. Self-comfort is achieved through material things.
The organizer in contrast takes a complex problem being experience breaks it down into achievable parts to relieve stress. Self-comfort is achieved through seeing a project through to closure. As well as with other physical activities.
Finally, the teacher projects compassion through intellectual means. Teaching another patiently how to do a task or learn intellectually how to deal with a problem. Self-comfort generally comes in the form of reading.
What is important here is giving compassion and receiving compassion, either by self, from others, or by one’s relationship with the Lord. If the person is going to practice their Gift for the betterment of others they must learn that there is a price to be paid, learn how to give it to the Lord, and find comfort for themselves.
Christian Family Services Ministry 