Choosing Compassion Over Comfort

Do you struggle to extend grace to others? Who are the people, or groups of people, for whom you resist offering compassion?

Many people draw circles, including some and excluding others, thinking that God’s grace is only for those on the inside. This circle might be your comfort zone—the communities with which you align or support.

And yet, God’s compassion is wider than our comfort. His grace knows no limits. God does not withhold His mercy and forgiveness from any person or group.

Consider the story of Jonah. Jonah had a burning anger against the Ninevites, hating them for their cruelty. God gave Jonah chance after chance to be part of the rescue of the Ninevites, and though Jonah did not want to, he eventually obeyed God, who offered them salvation. In response to God’s goodness, the people of Nineveh repented, turning away from their old, evil lifestyles and choosing God’s way instead. When God saw the Ninevites’ repentance, He saved them. 

This was a problem for Jonah. He had drawn circles, and in Jonah’s eyes, the people of Nineveh were not worthy of God’s compassion. He believed that they didn’t deserve it and shouldn’t receive it.

”This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: ‘Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? … I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord!’”
—Jonah 4:1-3, NLT

In Jonah’s anger towards the Ninevites, he started perceiving God’s goodness as weakness. His pain blinded him, narrowing his compassion until the only option he could imagine was death. God offered compassion far beyond Jonah’s level of comfort.

Where has pain narrowed your compassion?

In what spaces has your righteous anger become entitlement?

Remember the grace that God has lavished upon you. When you were a sinner, Jesus Christ died for you, offering the very same salvation that He offers to all the other undeserving (that is—everyone). Is your anger toward others preventing you from extending the grace that God has offered you?

As we receive the freely given grace of God, so we are invited to extend grace to others. When Jonah said to destroy them, Jesus instead said: Father, forgive them. Jonah was angry enough to die because God spared sinners, but Jesus was willing to die, so sinners could be spared. Jonah ran from his calling because he didn't want grace to reach his enemies. Jesus ran toward the cross because He wanted grace to reach His.

After all, God's compassion didn't just extend to Nineveh. It extended to you. Who can you extend grace toward too?

PRAY

God,

Thank You for Your grace poured out on me. Please help me offer that same grace to others, laying down my own anger and choosing love. I believe that Your way is higher than mine. Your grace overflows!

Amen.

Dive Deeper

Do you remember all the times that you’ve needed grace? It’s likely far too many to count. Reflect on the goodness that God has given you, even in your sin.

What areas of pain are causing you to withhold grace from others? Take a moment to identify the people, or groups of people, you’re struggling to offer compassion. Pray for God’s help in laying down your anger and offering mercy.