Empathy

Sometimes days can be rough. Sometimes they can be very productive and good. And other times, they can be both. Today was one of the both kind of days. For my job, I am aiming to get 32-36 people to serve on Service Day which is April 2, 2020. In this job, I have to call each and every project and see what the need is for this year. This is great for me because I love people and I love to serve and know them. Sometimes in my calls, though, I am privileged to hear some of their stories. I take great notice when God allows me to hear these stories because I am extremely empathetic. Being an Empath is feeling everything that a person tells me what they have experienced. If you share with me a dark time, I am there with you. If you tell of heart break, I cry with you. I cannot help but have this Gift from God, but sometimes it drains me. Today was one of those moments that drained me.

One of the people I contacted today had such a terrible couple of years and they were willing to open up to me about this. He told of great heartbreak when his wife passed a couple years ago and then again a few weeks later when his son was killed. As he told me this, I could not keep the tears out of my eyes and I could tell his voice was cracking on the other end. I got off of the phone and I had to stop for a couple of minutes while I prayed and tried to pull myself together. I continued throughout the day hearing that conversation play back and forth in my head. When I feel something with empathy, then I feel it for the day.

A friend in the office and great voice of wisdom later told me that God gives us these gifts to use for his Glory, but we cannot let what we feel using this gift get in the way of all the other things that God wants us to do that day. I reflect on that and see that God has given me a great gift so that I can connect with people. I cannot bear everyone's burdens for all burdens are easier with Christ Jesus by our sides. Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, is who walks beside us to guide us and help us. Though I may feel the heavy burden of people's feelings on me, Jesus is there to take the unnecessary burdens off of me. I still have my cross to bear to follow Jesus, but all the other things can be cast upon Him.

To all my other Empaths out there, take the advice that my friend gave to me. We have a great gift, but we cannot take everyone's burdens as ours. If we do, then that will only weigh us down and not allow us to do God's will for us to the best we can. Listen to people, see people, and help people, but leave the burdens with Christ.

Amen.