Sympathy

Sympathy is the art of mourning when another person is mourning. It's putting your feet in your husband's shoes and feeling the blisters wear on your own feet. It is being together with your husband more than just sitting side-by-side, but really being together with him.

It's hard to think about how your husband is feeling when you have three kids climbing on you, dinner burning on the stove, and your boss wants you to be sending that information to her right then. Its hard to think about how your husband is feeling when you are convinced that he doesn't have your feelings on his radar. It's hard to think about how your husband if feeling when you are heavy with disappointment and frustration.

But, I need to stop when I am tempted to stand my ground and not sympathize with my husband. I need to remember that God has already been so generous to me.

It was He, my Eternal Husband, who was brokenhearted by my sin. It was He who provided a way for me to be in a perfect relationship with Him. He knew my weakness, and He provided the Strength of Heaven.

Because I've been given the ultimate sympathy, I can love my husband by sympathizing with him.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

Lord, please let me sympathize with my husband. I feel like he needs to go first in this sympathizing-thing… but let me be amazed that You Went First. You knew all of my weaknesses and the pain I carried, and You brought relief. Help me to see my husband as he is – but also with grace. Please don't allow us to walk alone side-by-side. Please let me love him by thinking about his feelings and point of view. Help me mourn when he mourns and rejoice when he rejoices. Give me a greater love for him and an even greater love for You.

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