I Believe in Compassion by Cheryl Kroger

Americans are known around the world for being compassionate people. When a disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, or drought take place, Americans flock within hours to aid the unfortunate with physical, monetary and emotional support. This speaks well of us!

Many examples of compassion are given in the Bible. In fact, the theme of compassion runs throughout the Bible as God continuously loves and forgives His people after they sin and forsake Him. Jesus had compassion on the widow whose only son had died; He had compassion on the woman who touched His robe and wanted to be healed; and He had compassion on the ten lepers who called out to Him for healing.

Leprosy was a horrible skin disease during Biblical times and it was misunderstood (at the time of Christ it was considered to be a moral corruption), misdiagnosed, and feared. People also believed that it was highly contagious and hereditary so the leper was socially ostracized by casting him out of the city walls. He had to call out, "Unclean, unclean" when people were near. It was a sad and lonely life.

Could it be that the modern day form of "leprosy" is mental illness? The mentally ill are misunderstood, ostracized from society, and are considered to be unclean, unpredictable and dangerous. The stigma suffered by the mentally ill is tremendous due to a lot of bad reputation through the media. Many believe that severe psychotic disorders are caused by weakness of character or by sin (moral coruption). The consequences are that the mentally ill suffer from stigma, as did the leper, and have difficulty finding a job, housing and friends (cast out of the city walls). The stigma is so extensive that the ill often deny that they are ill and therefore think they have no need of medication or other help.

What can we do to show compassion? We can encourage the ill to stay on his medication so the violent episodes will be less likely to happen and stigma will be reduced. Become informed by reading books and pamphlets written by knowledgeable doctors. Listen to the patrons in your life as they tell you of their needs and frustrations. Treat the mentally ill as people - have them over for lunch or go to a movie with them. Don't be afraid to give them a hug and a chance to be an employee or a friend. Look to Christ as an example of compassion. He spoke to the lepers, touched them (which was absolutely forbidden), healed them, and even died for them. When He showed compassion, one came back and thanked Him.