sympathy
noun [U]
(an expression of) understanding and care for someone else's suffering.
empathy
noun [U]
the ability to share someone else's feelings or experiences by imagining or knowing what it would be like to be in their situation.
There is a distinct difference which is defined by caring enough to know the difference.
A lot of times I think that when we hear about stuff in the news, or about a person we know that is going through a rough spot, we as humans respond with the wrong one. Maybe it is just me.
Sometimes, like with a tragic event such as the shootings at Lane Bryant, we struggle and strive to respond with both.
Other times I think that people kinda just toss one or the other out there (kinda like fishing) to a person that is hurting, to see if they respond to it in an attempt to help.
Yah, I know.
Pretty cynical.
I know that sometimes people can get so wrapped up in their own lives that they forget to pick their head up and look around. (I know that I am guilty of this sometimes)
I believe that as Christians it is important to try our best to understand not only the world around us, but the people around us as well. Figure out what makes 'em tick.
While we can never "truly" empathize with another individual because, well...we are not them, we can do our best to try to understand what they are going through.
In order to do this, I think that we need to listen TO not just listen AT the people in our lives. A lot of times with our busy schedules, we listen for what we "think" we hear...not what our ears are actually recieving.
God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.
Sympathy can be expressed for almost any situation.
Empathy only comes through understanding.
1 comment:
i agree. the problem is that too many people (christians included) are too self-centered to be aware of what others are going through. it's not that they don't care about others, but that they care so much for themselves that they don't take the time to notice anyone else (cynical, I know).
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