Philippians 2:1-3 (NRSV)
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Chapter 2If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, Verse 2make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Verse 3Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.
Devotion
Kathy felt trapped in her pain. The loss of her husband was sudden and traumatic. Her life seemed to hold nothing but sorrow. She didn’t know if she wanted to go on living.
In her desperation, she agreed to join a group of others who were suffering from grief. She found that others cared.
But an even greater gift was found through her grief group. She began to care for others. She began to let go of her pain as she found compassion and sympathy for others. She found a strong connection to others … and to God.
Kathy has found new life.
Is Paul’s plea for the followers of Christ to care for others, even more than for ourselves, for their good or ours?
Prayer
Gracious Father, even while we ask you to relieve our pain, help us see that pain can lead us to a better way of living and can give us a more compassionate heart for caring. Amen.