6 Ways to Become a More Empathetic Christian

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Empathy is defined as the feeling that you understand and share another person’s experiences and emotions. You see someone going through a struggling situation and you don’t only feel bad for them, but also feel the pain that they are going through. You are able to put yourself into that situation and understand what they must be feeling. It’s more than just listening to a friend when they’re sad, it’s actively working to understand exactly how the person feels and why.

Empathy is one of the best ways for us to show other people that we love and care about them. God gave us the tools and skills to show genuine empathy to others. Christians can use empathy to show the Lord’s love at work, but sometimes it can be hard to do. How can we show empathy to others when they need it the most?

Here are some quick and easy ways that you can show empathy to others as a Christian.

Listen More and Talk Less

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Truly listening to someone requires a lot more work than you probably think. Most of the time, we are spending our time thinking of what to say back to the person and inserting our opinion rather than listening to what they’re actually saying. Step back and listen for two things: what the other person is feeling and what the other person needs. Give them a chance to express those feelings and needs, and repeat back what they’ve said so they understand you are hearing them. Give them your full attention and be present in the moment. This will give you the ability to actually understand where they are fully coming from instead of only understanding half of the story.

Try Empathizing With Beliefs You Don’t Share

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Understanding someone else’s point of view or personal challenges requires conversation that moves past the weather. You don’t have to ask everyone about highly personal matters, but seek to understand their lifestyle, where they come from, and why they think the way they do. This helps you cultivate understanding of different viewpoints and gives you a better ability to empathize with people you don’t normally associate yourself with. Challenge yourself to accept someone for who they are rather than their beliefs! Share your own experiences and ask deeper questions. This is a true challenge if you can learn to empathize with others, the way Jesus wants us too.