How to Have Compassion for Souls

But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.

Matthew 9:36

Compassion begins in the heart when we allow ourselves to truly care about what someone else is going through. It goes beyond simply noticing pain or feeling bad for someone—it moves us to take action. Empathy is a starting point, but real compassion requires us to step in and respond. When we look at people the way Jesus did, we begin to see the deeper need behind their situation. That perspective shifts us from being observers to being people who help. True compassion isn’t passive; it leads us to act with intention and love.

1. Be Like Jesus

Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Luke 14:23

Being like Jesus doesn’t mean we have to blend into culture or change who we are to reach people. It simply means we live out His example in our everyday lives with authenticity and compassion. When we walk with a genuine heart, people can feel that, especially those who are hurting or searching for something more. Compassion naturally draws us toward those who feel lost or overlooked, and it creates opportunities to point them toward hope. Remembering where God found us keeps our hearts grounded and real. That sense of humility helps us connect with others without judgment, making our compassion more effective and sincere.

2. The Power of Staying Grateful

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gratitude plays a major role in keeping our compassion alive. When we stay thankful for what God has done in our lives, we remain aware of how far we’ve come. It’s easy to focus on current blessings and forget the struggles we were once in, but remembering our journey keeps our hearts soft. Our personal testimony isn’t just something from the past, it’s a reminder that transformation is possible for others too. Daily prayer and gratitude help us stay connected to that truth. When we approach God with thankfulness, it naturally fuels a desire to see others experience that same kind of change.

3. The Downfall of Pride

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6

Pride can quietly take root when things start going well, but it can also distance us from the very people we’re meant to reach. Staying humble keeps our perspective clear and our hearts open. Growth and success aren’t meant to separate us from others, they should position us to serve even more. Humility helps us stay focused on people instead of ourselves, which is where compassion thrives. Serving others, staying grounded, and maintaining a consistent prayer life all help guard against pride. When we remain humble, we create space for God to continue working in us and through us.

4. A Legacy of Compassion

Legacy is not what you leave behind, it is who you leave behind.

We leave behind the message of Jesus Christ, His values, His principles, His vision, and His promises He imparted in us, and we imparted to the people of our legacy.

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

Luke 15:4-6

Legacy isn’t about achievements or recognition, it’s about impact. The people we invest in, encourage, and guide are the true reflection of the life we lived. Compassion plays a key role in that because it shapes how we treat others and how we show up for them. When we carry the message and values of Jesus into our relationships, we begin to influence others in a lasting way. The story of the lost sheep reminds us that every individual matters and is worth pursuing. A life of compassion ensures that we don’t overlook people, but instead value and invest in them intentionally.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Compassion is something we build daily through how we think, respond, and act toward others. It grows when we stay grateful, humble, and connected to where we started.

As we live this out, we begin to naturally impact the people around us. And in doing so, we not only strengthen our own faith, but help others take a step closer to hope and purpose.