Am I robbing God of time? How easy to do, and how impossible to repay! We have lost the sacred art of spending time with God, and nothing else can ever take its place. No repentance however deep, no restitution however costly, no sorrow however complete, can do away with the necessity for a daily time of sacred quiet, alone with God.
Gordon Guinness

Gift of Mercy

                                    GIFT OF MERCY

BASIC MOTIVATION DEFINED
Motivated to identify with and comfort those who are in distress.

AMPLIFICATION
To feel empathy with the misfortunes and misery of others.  To mentally and
emotionally relate to their needs and give them aid.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ONE EXERCISING THIS GIFT
1.  The ability to feel an atmosphere of joy or distress in an individual or group.
(a)  They can walk into a room and they can “feel” it.
(b)  They are more sensitive to hurts than to joy.
2.  An attraction to and an understanding of people who are in distress.
3.  A desire to remove hurts and bring healing to others.
4.  A greater concern for mental distress than physical distress.
5.  An avoidance of firmness unless he sees how it will bring benefit and healing.
6.  A sensitivity to words and actions which will hurt other people.
They can also be hurt personally by insensitive people.
7.  An ability to discern sincere motives in other people.
(A Prophet has a similar characteristic, but his has more to do with the
character of the other person; which this has more to do with the “feelings”
to the other person.)
8.  An enjoyment and unity with those who are sensitive to the needs and feelings
of others.
9.  A closing of his spirit to those who are insincere or insensitive.

DANGERS IN EXERCISING THIS GIFT
1.  Being proud of his ability to empathize.
2.  Resenting others who are not sensitive to personal needs.
3.  Failing to be firm when necessary.
4.  Being guided by emotions rather than logic.

MISUNDERSTANDINGS
1.  The avoidance of firmness may appear to be weakness and indecisiveness.
2.  The sensitivity to the spirit and feelings of others may cause some to feel
he is guided by emotions rather than logic.
3.  The attraction and understanding of those in distress may be misinterpreted by
those of the opposite sex.
(a)  Also, may be misunderstood by a mate who has not discerned his
partner’s gift.
4.  The sensitivity to words and actions which cause hurts may appear to be taking
up another’s offenses and “butting in where he has no place.”
5.  The ability to detect insincere motives may cause some to feel he is hard
to get to know.
6.  His sensitivity may cause others to be less than frank with him at times, for
fear of “hurting” him.