Why Empathy Is Essential for Strong Relationships?

[Why Empathy Is Essential for Strong Relationships?]( Current Teaching Series [Better Together]( [Listen to Today's Broadcast]( [Why Empathy Is Essential for Strong Relationships?]( By Rick Warren — 08/11/2023 [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= “All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV) You’re never going to live in harmony with your spouse, your friends, or anybody else without empathy. You can’t have a team without being aware of what’s happening with your teammates. That’s why when people work together in an office, they may do work together, but they’re not a team unless they know what’s going on in each other’s lives. Empathy is so important because it meets two of our deepest needs: the fundamental need to be understood and a deep need to have our feelings validated. So how do you become an empathetic person? Slow down.Because our culture teaches us to move fast, we end up relationally skimming. That means you’re hitting the high points and missing all kinds of details in the lives of people you care about most. James 1:19 says, “You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (NLT). Ask questions.Proverbs 20:5 says, “A person’s thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out” (GNT). Most people hold their emotions pretty close, and they don’t automatically share how they’re doing. “I’m fine” is the standard answer, but that doesn’t really tell you how they feel. If you ask, ”How are you doing?” and the other person says, “I’m fine,” here’s how you draw out a more telling response: Learn to ask the question twice. Pause and say, “No, how are you really doing?”  The other thing you do is learn to linger. That means don’t be afraid of silence. Be in the moment, ask the question, and don’t immediately go into your agenda. Just listen and learn. Show emotions.The Bible says in Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (NASB). Empathy is more than saying, “I’m sorry you hurt.” It’s saying, “I hurt with you.” You’re willing to cry with them, and you’re willing to rejoice with them. There’s only one way you’re going to be that empathetic: Stay in communion with God. That means start your day with a quiet time, talk to God in prayer throughout your day, and encourage and be encouraged by your small group and Christian friends. “All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV). [PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>]( Talk It Over - What are the characteristics of a good listener? - How do you respond when people ask, “How are you?” - Why do you think people are so afraid of silence in a relationship? The post [Why Empathy Is Essential for Strong Relationships?]( appeared first on [Pastor Rick's Daily Hope](. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [Email](mailto:?subject=I'd%20like%20to%20share%20a%20Daily%20Devotional%20from%20Pastor%20Rick%20with%20you&body= [Get the 40 Days of Community Study Kit when you give a gift to support Daily Hope!]( You were never meant to live life alone. In fact, God’s purposes for your life are best fulfilled when you’re together with others—in community. That’s why Pastor Rick created the 40 Days of Community Bible study kit. In this 6-session video and workbook study—perfect to do with a friend, a small group or ministry—Pastor Rick will help you discover that we all truly are better together. You’ll enjoy sessions, including: • What Matters Most • Reaching Out Together • Belonging Together • Growing Together • Serving Together • Worshiping Together [LEARN MORE]( [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)]( Includes 6 full-length messages from Pastor Rick's series Better Together. [LEARN MORE]( [Series Summary]( Message 1: Why We Need Each Other Message 2: Reaching Out Together Message 3: What Destroys Relationships and What Builds Them Message 4: How We Help Each Other Grow Message 5: Serving Together Message 6: Living a Generous Life [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST]( Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Linkedin]( Enjoy today's devotional? Listen to Pastor Rick’s daily audio teaching at [PastorRick.com]( Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.]( Rick Warren is the founding pastor of [Saddleback Church]( one of America’s largest and most influential churches. 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