Colossians 3:12-14 (NASB)
So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

The word compassion in this text can be translated “the heart of compassion” or “the bowels of mercy”. It is from the Greek word “oiktirmos”.

During this busy and sometimes crazy holiday season we can all get to the end of our rope. So before we get there let us start each day checking our heart and be sure we have put on the heart of compassion the Lord has given us. After all, compassion is one of the benefits of the Lord. Psalm 103:4 also tells us the Lord redeemed us and crowns us with lovingkindness and compassion.

So when we get up in the morning and we put on our heart of compassion we will likely have eyes to see those places where we can be the compassionate expression of Jesus for someone. It may be a family member, or that slow senior citizen in the grocery store, the child crying in church or the exhausted parent trying to calm that child down.

It may help to think of a time when God poured out unmerited favor on you. Give Him thanks and pay it forward. Merry Christmas!!

Patricia L. Wenzel
Woman of Character Graduate