We have arrived at Omer Count – Day 16. Today reminds us that Gevurah of Tiferet shows compassion for others by combining harmony with kindness and strength.
For compassion to be healthy it needs to have discipline and focus. We realize in meditation on Omer Count – Day 16 that compassion requires discretion in the giving and receiving.
PROPER TIMES TO GIVE OR LIMIT COMPASSION
There are proper times to express compassion and proper times to limit or withhold compassion. Here is a past article we wrote about overcoming and moving forward in God’s will. This is what we are studying here: https://theinseasonlifestyle.com/for-those-who-overcome/.
Here are some questions to ask regarding compassion that will reveal the true nature of this emotion:
Are we being careful with the expression of compassion?
THE DEPTH OF COMPASSION
Am I more compassionate to a stranger than to someone I’m close to?
If so; why?
Does my compassion come from guilt; or is it genuine concern for the other person?
Am I compromising my own needs when I show others compassion?
COMPASSION IN RELATION TO OTHERS
Maybe I am letting my compassion for someone else subtract from my own personal needs. Or maybe the compassion I show for my family and friends prevents me from having compassion for all others.
Is my compassion ever over-expressed or under-expressed in certain situations?
Are the expressions of my compassion respectful? Is it ever overwhelming? Is my compassion sometimes destructive to the one who receives it? Could my compassion be harmful in certain situations?
COMPASSION AS THE OPPOSITE OF JUDGEMENT
I love the way Chris Jackson examines the characteristic of compassion. It is a long read, but well worth your time. He certainly opened my eyes to consider things I had never thought about in my own life. Here is the link: https://chrisjacksoncoaching.com/54-can-you-have-too-much-compassion/.
HARMONY IN AN IMPERFECT WORLD
Expressing compassion which combines discipline and focus brings us into harmony with the natural ways the world was created to be. This helps us to be able to get along with others. We can see our way through all types of situations as we deal with others while living in an imperfect world.