Question:
I have a question about empathy, like I can feel people’s pain and emotions and it really overwhelms me sometimes. Can you please explain in one of your videos about God giving spiritual gifts?
Answer:
The Holy Spirit does a lot for us, one of which is Spiritual Gifts. Here are the passages that talk about it.
1 Corinthians 12 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.
Romans 12 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
You will see that there are many gifts, and they are not even all mentioned. Your gift of empathy is given so that you can help people who are suffering, because you feel their pain. In the passages it is clear that we are given gifts to use to the glory of God. It is for the good of others, and for the church, and you should not keep it to yourself. You are obviously meant to counsel and help those who are in distress and pain, because you understand exactly how they feel. It is a unique gift, so use it well! God bless!
Remember the key text
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.