How Compassion Can Transform Your Life: Learning to See Others Through God's Eyes

What if the reason you feel so disconnected is that you've forgotten how to see others the way God does?

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Ephesians 4:32 tells us: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Think about it. How often do we pass by people, interact with them, maybe even work or live beside them, without truly seeing them?

We notice the surface: the attitude, the mistakes, the way they treat us. But we rarely stop to wonder, what's going on beneath all that? What would happen if we started seeing people not through the lens of judgment, but through the lens of redemption?

Living in a "Me First" World

We live in a world that tells us, almost like a broken record, to look out for yourself first. That's the anthem of hustle culture: get yours, secure the bag, stay ahead of the pack. And sure, ambition in itself isn't bad. But when life becomes a constant race for more, when everyone's sprinting toward their finish line with blinders on, we start to miss what matters most.

It's no wonder compassion feels like an afterthought.

Take a walk down any busy street or sit in traffic for five minutes and you'll see the lack of compassion in full display—horns blaring, eyes rolling, tempers flaring. We live a fast life, always on edge, ready to snap at the slightest inconvenience. And we've learned to justify it: "I'm tired. I've got stuff going on. They shouldn't have cut me off."

It's like we've put up emotional fences, guarding our time, our energy, our kindness, because deep down, we've bought into the lie that there's not enough to go around. Not enough love. Not enough grace. Not enough space for anyone else's problems but our own.

The Power of Noticing Silent Cries

Here's a question that might make you pause: when was the last time you noticed someone's silent cry for help?

Not the obvious ones—not the person who told you they were struggling or the friend who texted you crying. I mean the quiet ones: the coworker who stopped making jokes, the neighbor who used to wave and doesn't anymore, the cashier who looked like she hadn't slept in days.

Those are the cries the world misses. But the Holy Spirit doesn't.

When we're consumed with ourselves, we lose the ability to hear those whispers. And in a culture that constantly shouts "me first," it takes intentionality to slow down and actually see people.

Self-focus is a slippery slope. It starts with innocent boundaries—"I just need to protect my peace"—and before we know it, we've built walls so high compassion can't climb over. We begin living in echo chambers of our own pain, our own plans, our own priorities.

But God never designed us to live that way. He wired us for connection. For empathy. For interruptions. Because grace doesn't always show up on your schedule.

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Jesus: The Master of Seeing People

One of the most remarkable things about Jesus isn't just what He said, it's what He saw. In a crowd of 100, He noticed the one. In a world that rushed past pain, He slowed down to meet it. Jesus wasn't in a hurry, even when everyone else was. And that, in itself, was radical.

Consider the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. Jesus was actually on His way to heal a dying girl—a desperate situation if there ever was one. The crowd was thick, pressing in on every side. It would've been easy to keep moving, head down, focused on the "main mission."

But this woman? She wasn't the main event. She was the interruption. Twelve years she had suffered—not just physically, but socially. In that culture, her condition made her unclean. Untouchable. Forgotten.

Yet when she touched the edge of Jesus' robe, He stopped. "Who touched Me?" He asked, not out of anger or irritation, but out of compassion. The disciples were confused—with all these people pressing in, how could He single out one touch?

But that's the heart of Jesus. He doesn't just feel crowds. He feels individuals. He doesn't just see faces. He sees stories.

The Feeding of Five Thousand: Seeing Beyond the Problem

Then there's the feeding of the five thousand. Another crowd. Another moment where it would've been easier to send people away than to step into their hunger.

The disciples saw a problem: too many people, not enough food. Their solution? Send them home. Let them fend for themselves. But Jesus saw something different. He saw the fatigue on their faces, the weariness in their eyes. He knew it wasn't just about bread—it was about care.

So He took what little they had—five loaves and two fish—and blessed it. Broke it. Multiplied it. He fed their bodies, yes, but He also fed their faith. And if you look closely, you'll notice something: He didn't just make enough. He made more than enough. Twelve baskets left over.

A reminder that in God's economy, kindness always overflows.

Developing Supernatural Perspective

Living with supernatural perspective doesn't mean being spooky or overly mystical. It's an invitation to spiritual discernment. It's the ability to look at a moment and ask, "God, what's going on here?" It's hearing what isn't being said, feeling what isn't being shown, and responding—not with judgment or irritation—but with grace.

When we allow God to shape our sight, our everyday lives start to look different. That rude coworker? Maybe she's not just difficult. Maybe she's drowning in pressure and doesn't know how to ask for help. That driver who cut you off in traffic? Maybe he's rushing to a hospital, or maybe he's just deeply distracted by a fight he had with his kid that morning.

You don't know. And that's the point.

A supernatural perspective softens your reflexes. It trains you to pause before reacting. To wonder before assuming. To ask, "What might this person be carrying today?"

And that pause is holy ground.

The Ripple Effect of Small Kindnesses

Several years ago, a woman named Laura shared a story that illustrates this beautifully. She was going through what she called "a slow unraveling." Life had thrown one curveball after another—her job was uncertain, her marriage was tense, and her confidence had taken a hard hit. She felt invisible, like she was slowly fading into the background of her own life.

One particular morning, she sat in her car outside a grocery store, trying to summon the strength to just go in. She wiped her eyes, whispered a prayer that felt more like a sigh, and stepped out.

As she stood in the checkout line later, the cashier looked at Laura with soft eyes and said, "I just wanted to say... you have the most peaceful smile. I hope you have a beautiful day."

It wasn't a grand gesture. It wasn't a sermon or a rescue mission. It was one sentence. One small drop in the ocean. But to Laura, it felt like a dam broke. Someone saw her. In a world that had been busy brushing past her pain, this small kindness cracked something open inside her.

That moment became the beginning of a turning point.

Living with Eyes Like Jesus

Here's a simple challenge for your everyday life: Before your feet hit the floor in the morning, ask yourself this question—"Lord, who can I notice today?"

That one question shifts the entire focus of your day. It pulls you out of tunnel vision and opens your heart to divine appointments. It reminds you that the purpose of your day isn't just to get through it, but to give something in it.

You might be the only source of gentleness someone experiences today. You might be the only one who looks up, who lingers long enough to care, who listens without needing to fix anything.

Living with this kind of compassion doesn't just change the people around you—it changes you. It softens the hard edges. It teaches you to slow down and breathe deeply. It reconnects you to your purpose: not as someone trying to survive the day, but as someone sent to serve in it.

The Strength of True Compassion

Some people think compassion is soft. But in God's kingdom, it's strength in its purest form. When you choose to notice, when you pause to care, you're not just being kind—you're extending the very hand of God into someone's life.

Your compassion carries weight in the spiritual realm. It's heaven breaking into earth through your voice, your actions, your presence.

So don't underestimate what one act of grace can do. Ask God to open your eyes today—to see what's often missed, to hear what's not spoken, and to feel what others try to hide. And then take the next step. Reach out. Speak life. Show up.

Because someone's breakthrough might begin with your simple yes.

Your Call to Action

As you go about your day, remember this: someone near you might be praying for a sign that they still matter. And your kindness might be the answer wrapped in ordinary moments.

Who could you notice today? How might you begin seeing others through God's eyes? The world is full of people carrying invisible burdens, waiting for someone to see them—really see them—and respond with the kind of love that changes everything.

In a world addicted to noise, speed, and self-interest, compassion is almost rebellious. It slows down. It listens. It notices. And that's what makes it supernatural.

The question isn't whether you have time for compassion. The question is whether you can afford to live without it.

Dare to Dream

✨  Would you like to be further encouraged? This video connects beautifully with what you've just read and may help you deepen your trust in God's love and guidance.