I took a couple psychology classes in college. One particular one has always remained with me, that was when we studied sympathy and empathy.
Sympathy: an affinity, association, or relationship between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other.
Empathy: the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner.
Well, that’s clear as mud. And I am not sure how helpful either are when I am in deep trouble. That is why I love Psalm 40, especially verses 2 and 3.
“He brought me up from a desolate pit, out of the muddy clay, and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” [HCSB]
Our LORD reaches down and brings us up, sets our feet on a rock, makes our steps secure and even puts a song in our heart. He doesn’t just lean over the pit we are in and holler down instructions on how to get out!
I laugh as I think about how often I have dug myself a pit that I can’t get out of. I can see my Father in heaven looking down and saying something like, “Child, are you in that pit again? Didn’t I just get you out of it last week? All right, give me your hand – up you come!”
Thank you, LORD. Today I focus on Your amazing love that lifts me out of those pits I often find myself in. I praise You for pulling me up, setting my feet on My Rock, and making my steps secure. I lift my song of thanksgiving and praise to You! Amen
