• Imagine being in the shoes of another—focusing on yourself will kill compassion; see others and consider their situation.
• Don’t be afraid to feel, and don’t be controlled by your feelings—we can’t always make it all better.
• Use your power and ability to help—Initially, to others, your power is scary and your ability is intimidating; if you use both to help, your power is comforting and your ability is appreciated.
• Communicating about how you truly think of others is an intentional effort on your part and a constant evaluation on their part.
• Ultimately compassion results in doing something—whatever you can do; just talking about it or feeling their pain does not equal compassion.

Opening Question

Pick a person in the room and imagine what makes his life challenging at this moment. Pick another, then another. All have things going on that qualify them for compassion.

Closing Thoughts

• Understand their perspective before you try to explain yours—it is much easier to work from a foundation of compassion than an afterthought of compassion.
• God is all powerful and compassionate— Romans 8:28–39; if God is with us, who can be against us. God’s power is comforting . . . unless I’m disobeying.
• When is the last time you did something (e.g., a gift, a prayer, a help, a ride, a listening ear, a change of plans, a note, a buck or a quarter, a cookie) out of compassion for another?