We can seek solace, guidance, and strength from God, reassured by the knowledge that He assists those facing adversity. (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 2018, pp. 4-9)

Isaiah 58:9, “Then you will call, and Jehovah will answer; You will cry for help, and he will say, ‘Here I am!’ If you remove from among you the yoke bar And stop pointing your finger and speaking maliciously,…” (Isaiah 58:9, New World Translation)

Jeremiah 29:11,12, “For I well know the thoughts that I am thinking toward you,’ declares Jehovah, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope. And you will call me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.’ ” (Jeremiah 29:11,12, New World Translation)

Psalms 56:8, “You keep track of my wandering. Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book?” (Psalms 56:8, New World Translation)

Empathy entails understanding and sharing another person's emotions or experiences by envisioning oneself in their circumstances. (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 2018, pp. 4-9)

What is the reason behind our possession of empathy, a trait unparalleled in any other species? According to the Bible, humanity is fashioned in the likeness of God. (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 2018, pp. 4-9)

Genesis 1:26, “Then God said: “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have in subjection the fish of the sea and the flying creatures of the heavens and the domestic animals and all the earth and every creeping animal that is moving on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26, New World Translation)

Being created in the likeness of God means we can mirror His character, exhibiting some of His admirable qualities. Therefore, when empathy motivates compassionate individuals to assist others, they reflect the empathy of their merciful Creator, Jehovah God. (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 2018, pp. 4-9)

Proverbs 14:31, “The one who defrauds the lowly one insults his Maker, But whoever shows compassion to the poor glorifies Him.” (Proverbs 14:31, New World Translation)

God empathizes with us and abhors witnessing our suffering. Concerning the ancient Israelites who endured severe slavery in Egypt and then faced 40 challenging years in the wilderness, Isaiah 63:9 in the Bible states: “During all their distress it was distressing to him. And his own personal messenger saved them. In his love and compassion he repurchased them, And he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” (Isaiah 63:9, New World Translation) (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 2018, pp. 4-9)

It's important to note that God didn't just know about their distress; He could truly feel their pain. When others cause us harm, His heart resonates with ours in anguish. (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 2018, pp. 4-9)

Exodus 3:7, “Jehovah added: “I have certainly seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their outcry because of those who force them to work; I well know the pains they suffer.” (Exodus 3:7, New World Translation)

Zechariah 2:8, “Come, Zion! Make your escape, you who are dwelling with the daughter of Babylon. For this is what Jehovah of armies says, who after being glorified has sent me to the nations that were plundering you: ‘Whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye.” (Zechariah 2:8, New World Translation)

The Bible provides assurance that despite feeling self-condemned and undeserving of God's empathy, "God is greater than our hearts and knows all things." He understands us more deeply than we understand ourselves. He comprehends all our situations, thoughts, and emotions fully, and He empathizes with us. (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., 2018, pp. 4-9)

1 John 3:19,20, “By this we will know that we originate with the truth, and we will assure our hearts before him regarding whatever our hearts may condemn us in, because God is greater than our hearts and knows all things.” (1 John 3:19, 20, New World Translation)

Quiz: How Well Do You Understand God’s Compassionate Care?

1. According to Isaiah 58:9, what does God promise when we call out to Him?
   a. He will ignore us
   b. He will answer and say, "Here I am!"
   c. He will send angels immediately
   d. He will give us wealth and prosperity

2. In Jeremiah 29:11,12, what are God’s thoughts toward us?
   a. Thoughts of punishment and anger
   b. Thoughts of peace and a future
   c. Thoughts of despair and suffering
   d. Thoughts of abandonment

3. What does Psalms 56:8 illustrate about God's care for us?
   a. He records all our tears
   b. He forgets our struggles
   c. He keeps a record of our successes only
   d. He is indifferent to our emotions

4. According to the article, why do humans possess the quality of empathy?
   a. Because we are evolved to be competitive
   b. Because we are made in God's likeness
   c. To ensure the survival of humanity
   d. Because it benefits only ourselves

5. Genesis 1:26 mentions God created humans to have dominion over what?
   a. Only the land
   b. Other humans
   c. The animals and the earth
   d. The heavens

6. According to Proverbs 14:31, what does showing compassion to the poor do?
   a. Demonstrates strength
   b. Leads to wealth
   c. Glorifies God
   d. Shows superiority

7. How does Isaiah 63:9 describe God’s feelings about the Israelites' suffering in the wilderness?
   a. He ignored it
   b. It was distressing to Him
   c. He felt it was deserved
   d. He was indifferent

8. Exodus 3:7 expresses God’s awareness of the Israelites’ situation in Egypt. What does He say?
   a. He has heard their outcry and knows their suffering
   b. He is unaware of their suffering
   c. He believes they should endure silently
   d. He is indifferent to their pain

9. In Zechariah 2:8, what does God compare those who harm His people to?
   a. An enemy
   b. The apple of His eye
   c. A thorn in His side
   d. A distant stranger

10. What does 1 John 3:19,20 reassure us about God’s understanding?
    a. God’s understanding is limited to our outward actions
    b. God condemns us regardless of our feelings
    c. God knows all things and is greater than our hearts
    d. God’s knowledge is less than our own

Answer Key

1. b. He will answer and say, "Here I am!"

2. b. Thoughts of peace and a future

3. a. He records all our tears

4. b. Because we are made in God's likeness

5. c. The animals and the earth

6. c. Glorifies God

7. b. It was distressing to Him

8. a. He has heard their outcry and knows their suffering

9. b. The apple of His eye

10. c. God knows all things and is greater than our hearts

For more free, Bible-based answers to everyday topics, please visit jw.org.

Bibliography

Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. (2013). New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.

Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. (2018). The Watchtower: Does God Care About You?

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