A mother and her nursing child. A mother hen and her brood. These are ways that the Bible describes Yahweh’s compassion. (Isaiah 49:15, Luke 13:34)

This compassionate nature is the first word Yahweh used to describe himself to Moses…

“The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,

“Yahweh! The Lord!

The God of compassion and mercy!

I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” ---Exodus 34:6

To know him is to know His compassion.

Compassion means seeing the suffering of someone and being prompted to helpful action. It isn’t just seeing someone hurting and feeling sad for them, but it is allowing that sadness to motivate you into action.

Our world is full of suffering people.

You might be one of them.

When we are suffering, we don’t only want to be seen, but we want it to stop. We want help.

Most of my life when suffering has occurred, I've spent much of my prayers begging God to make it stop. A few weeks ago, someone suggested that maybe I should ask Him to help me get through it instead.

I’ve thought a lot about this and though it seems like a minor difference, the shift in focus that occurred for me has been huge.

“Make it stop,” is saying I can’t do this. I don’t want to do this. I know better. I don’t trust you.

“Help me through it,” says it is hard. I might not like it, but I trust you. I need you. I will follow you.

A way that I have been able to make this change is by focusing on His compassion.

The Bible tells us that God’s compassion looks like unfailing love, faithfulness, and peace.

It tells us that sometimes God will stop the wind and the waves of the storm, and other times He asks us to step out of the boat and into it. But His unfailing love, faithfulness, and peace are unchanging.

Regardless of my storm.

It is who He is and that isn’t dependent of whether He moves the mountains, or he makes them disappear…He will not be changed.

What does Yahweh’s compassion do? Oh goodness…it changes everything!

When you are in a storm yet can focus on the one who controls it, and you know He is good, loving, and faithful…Then you can say “I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

Knowing His compassion enables you to take the next step even when every fiber of your being is crying out that you can’t.

Knowing His compassion enables you to rest during the storm.

Knowing His compassion let's you know that He sees you and He is moving for your good.

Knowing His compassion let's you survive...and thrive.