7 Ways On How to Show Compassion in This World
1) Give your time.
I can’t repeat this enough. Time is the only resource we can’t get back which makes it one of the most precious gifts we can give to people. Spend quality time with those you care about. Broaden your horizons and volunteer your time at a local organization for a cause you believe in. (Check out Volunteer Match to see what the need is in your community.)
Here are some general ideas of where you can volunteer:
–Nursing/ elder care facilities: The one nice thing about living in China is that the elderly are not segregated or put in homes; they do life in the communities, even if it’s really slow with their cane. Seeing the Chinese elderly out and about makes me smile. I was reminded by a wise person that the elderly should not be forgotten but cared and respected. They have so much wisdom and lots of humor.
–Orphanages: There are about 210 million orphans in the world. A large percentage of those orphans don’t have a mom or father tucking them into bed at night or having someone remind them to brush their teeth. Yes, these actions seem small and are not needed for a human to survive but I think you would agree with me, we want to do life with love and not just a mind set of surviving. If you have a heart for children, where can you serve and love on them? (a foster home, an orphanage, Big Brother Big Sister, a youth group, children’s church)
–Safe homes: There are issues of (most of the time) women being abused and sex-trafficked. If you have a heart for caring for these women, is there a home or organization near you where you can love on them?
–Hospitals: Volunteer your time with patients before and after surgeries or keep someone company who is suffering from with cancer.
2) Give your money.
–Food for the Hungry: This nonprofit is solid. My husband and I support a child in Burundi. This organization takes care of the child (their body, mind and soul) and the community holistically, teaching them skills on how to become self-sufficent.
“My dear Denny and April,
Hello! Thank you sincerely for sponsorship me. I become happy about how Food for the Hungry helps me when I fall ill, about hygiene, God’s speech, and about studies and so on… I am now very well and wish you a merry Christmas.”
–Amazima: “Helping to educate and empower the people of Uganda with God’s love”
– Shop purposefully (Buy items where most or all of the profits go to an organization you believe in.)
–Missionaries: Invest in eternity and help others be freed up to share the gospel, the good news. -Do you see someone that is in need? or just want to be generous? My sophomore year of college I didn’t have enough money to go to a Christian conference.
One day I found an envelope addressed to me at my door with enough money to attend the conference anonymously gifted. I still do not know to this day who did that but that day that person was Jesus’s hands to me; I felt so loved by God.
3) Give your resources.
Everything we have is a blessing and can be taken away as quickly as a fire spreads. Things perish but relationships are lasting. Do you have things that could help with a cause or social gathering? Do you ever lend books out? How about the clutter of “things” you have under your bed, in your closet, or scattering your shelves, when was the last time you used it? If you don’t need the money, how about donating it? Not only will you feel good about generously giving but feel less stressed without clutter.
4) Be extra kind.
Ask your friends or a loved one if there is something you could do for them that would help them out. If they say nothing, and you have a close relationship with them, surprise them at their home by washing their dishes and scrubbing their toilet. Or…if a friend is sick, stop by with a get well package and help them around the house.
A couple years back ago I had a minor surgery and a friend of mine surprised me by stopping by with soup for me. I felt so loved and the gesture was very thoughtful. People don’t forget the kind acts of service you do for them.
5) Give people hugs or some form of non-sexual physical touch.
We need physical touch to live. We need physical touch just as much as we need oxygen. Like saying hello to someone and acknowledging them, a simple hand on the shoulder, hand shake, hand hug, side hug/hug lets a person know they are cared and loved. Have you ever experienced a genuine hug from a friend?
6) Have a servant’s heart.
Serve people without recognition. (Where are you gifted? What do you enjoy doing?) [cooking, hospitality, crocheting, art, writing, etc] Do you see a need in someone’s life? A roommate, spouse, sibling and/or friend could use a blessing, an extra hand in their busy season of life?
If you see a mess in the house, instead of complaining, clean it up. Love that person without aiming to being recognized. Loving feels a lot better than complaining.
7) Give someone close you know encouragement.
People love affirmation. The best encouragement is giving a person a compliment on their personality. Tell that person how they have positively affected you? It will show that person that you care and value their relationship.
In the comment box below, please add any organizations that you believe in supporting.
Do you know of other ways that we can show compassion to people?
10,000 Smiles Project
My gift to you. Pictures of people smiling in Bangkok, Thailand. I hope they bring a smile to you wherever you are in life’s seasons. 
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