Standing
up for what you believe can be a test of your faith. The older brother in the story
of the prodigal son stood up for what he believed to be an unjust, unfair
situation. He saw his father as having coddled his younger brother, who had
been totally irresponsible to the point of disgracing the family.
This parable demonstrates how concern
for others can be completely absent. The older brother lacked sympathy for his
younger sibling, who through bad choices had squandered his inheritance. The
older son could not muster any sympathy for his father, who loved the younger
son regardless of the pain he had brought to the family.
Sympathy is expressed sorrow, felt for
someone who is hurting. Empathy goes beyond sympathy. Empathy feels as others
feel, thinks as they think, and accepts them as they are. With God's help, you
can rise above your troubles and reach out with compassion to others who have
made bad choices that affected you personally. Empathy reflects God's
transforming grace.
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