Pity: A Bridge to Forgiveness

Vindictiveness is akin to anger and resentment when it becomes ingrained in a person's attitude, thoughts and feelings. This powerful belief system has the potential for numbing a person's feelings of compassion for others. Little or no sympathy is possible for those to whom vindictiveness is directed because the heart has grown cold and hard.

Pity is a form of sympathy and compassion. A woman became angry and bitter toward a co-worker who, out of jealousy, spread slanderous gossip about her that broke her heart. She just couldn't bring herself to forgive the woman because of the damage it did to her reputation. As her anger intensified, she became more resolute to retaliate.

When she learned her co-worker was diagnosed with terminal cancer, she began to develop feelings of pity for her which replaced the anger and vindictiveness. Her feelings of pity built a bridge to forgiveness. Jesus used the word pity to describe a Good Samaritan who was willing to help a man who in all probability would never have done the same for him.  

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“But a Samaritan who was traveling that way came upon the man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him, poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him... 

Jesus replied, “You go, then, and do the same.”

~Luke 10:33-34, 37 Good News Bible