While reading the New Testament this year, I’m struck, once again, at the incomprehensible goodness, wisdom, and compassion of Jesus Christ. In a Sunday School class last year, we listed as many attributes of Christ as we could think of.  It was an amazing and very long list!  We did the Attribute Activity in Preach My Gospel, as well. I feel like a little child in my spiritual attributes, compared to Him. Some of the Savior’s attributes come more naturally to me, and some continue to be a challenge, even after years of working on them.

One of the attributes of my Savior that I’m especially thankful for is His compassion.  Because of His atonement, He knows every struggle and heartache and has perfect empathy for each of His children.  I’ve felt His loving support and understanding throughout my life.  However, the scriptures are full of examples of His compassion and empathy before He suffered for us in Gethsemane and on Calvary’s cross. Over and over we read that He was “moved with compassion” for the people. He healed countless individuals, fed the multitude instead of sending them away, forgave sins, welcomed the little children, and He even raised the dead, returning them to their loved ones. He was sensitive to the needs of each person who came to Him. 

“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow…And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”

Luke 7:12-15

My heart grieves and then rejoices, along with this widow, as I feel the love the Savior had for her.

When Jesus comes to Martha and Mary after the death of their brother, we feel his deep compassion for them as He weeps with them, even though He knows Lazarus will rise.

“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept.” John 11:32-35

One of my favorite chapters in all of scripture, is 3 Nephi 17. It’s incredibly tender as the Lord visits the Nephites. When it’s time for Him to leave, He tells them He will return the next day.

“And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them. And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.”

Jesus invites them to bring all who are sick, and He heals each and every one. Then He tells them to bring all the children, gathers them together, and has everyone kneel as He prays for them.

“And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father. And it came to pass that when Jesus had made an end of praying unto the Father, he arose; but so great was the joy of the multitude that they were overcome. And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise. And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full. And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this he wept again;”

Reading this, who can doubt the Savior’s sensitivity, compassion, and love?

Sharing just a few of these examples, I feel like John when he recorded at the end of his gospel, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.”

A large portion of society doesn’t seem to value sensitivity and compassion much anymore.  Many times, especially in men, those qualities are derided and belittled, while toughness and stoicism are touted and applauded. The world is becoming increasingly desensitized due to violence and competitiveness. Sensitive people are sometimes called weak, sheltered, or out-of-touch, and told to “toughen up.”

Elaine N. Aron, PhD, wrote the book, The Highly Sensitive Person, How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You. The author discusses the idea that some people are highly sensitive to stimuli and emotions. She views being a highly sensitive person (HSP) as a gift, not a flaw, (contrary to current societal belief) but acknowledges that it requires awareness and attention to self-care to cope. I identified with many of the characteristics of an HSP and recognized them in some family members.

Like me, you might be an HSP if:

• You weren’t allowed to watch animal movies (like Lassie) when you were young because they made you cry for a week.
• Strong smells and loud noises cause you intense discomfort.
• You had night terrors as a child.
• Watching the news or violent movies makes you feel physically ill.
• You get teary when you pass a car wreck.
• You’re exhausted and need quiet for a couple of hours after church or social situations.
• You feel sorry for characters in comedies (like Elf) and people in America’s Funniest Home Videos.
• Being away from your children (or even your pets) makes you sad.
• When competing, you feel bad when someone loses.
• You’ve been told “you’re too sensitive” too many times to count.

Although it’s often uncomfortable being highly sensitive, I hope to use my sensitivity and empathy to comfort and bless others, the way Jesus would if He were here. I also try to remember that because we’re all different, with varied strengths, I’m happier and kinder when I don’t judge others by how I feel about things. As Brigham Young said, “I wish to urge upon the Saints…to understand men and women as they are, and not understand them as you are.” Extending patience and understanding to all of God’s children is the Christlike way. We’re all here to learn to be more like the Savior, with all His perfect attributes.