4 Qualities of Empathy

Yesterday at Northpoint, Clay Scroggins delivered a relevant message with key insights about empathy. Empathy is the central key to relationships, especially when there is ‘bad blood.’ Empathy is ‘first aid’ for bad blood.

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. – Romans 12:18

A Message
by Clay Scroggins

1) Take on their perspective as truth.
2) Suspend your judgement.
3) Recognize their emotion.
4) Communicate that emotion.

Continuing to see the situation from your side doesn’t change anything.

Sympathy = acknowledging their feelings.
Empathy = actually feeling their feelings.

Have you done everything you can do to feel it from their side?

Jesus is God’s most empathetic statement to us.

When you make the long walk of empathy, you are mirroring what he did for you.

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:15-16

Jesus is our model and our motivation.

How well developed are your empathy skills? Who do you need to make peace with by making the long walk to seeing things from their perspective?

Resources:
Northpoint Community Church