What can one do with the gift of Empathy?

[AWorkInProgress]

Hello my brothers and sisters in Christ!

I solved a long old riddle and my gift is empathy. I could spend all day working with people and their emotional problems.

Unfortunately my innerself is limited in it's desire to explore and adventure. For now just googling ideas on what I can do with this gift.

I figure I ask if any of you could open my eyes to different areas of developement in this gift.

Much appresiated to responders.

 

[madison1101]

I also have the gift of empathy. I went to graduate school and earned a Masters in Social Work and moonlight at a psychiatric hospital.

You can start by studying social work or psychology and then develop a ministry reaching out to the poor.

 

[Ainustorm]

From what you have said i would check out gettin some Biblical counseling classes from a Christian college. So you can get techniques to use this gift properly. You might also ask your pastor what you could do to use this gift. But pray and see if God wants you to get into Biblical counseling. God Bless!

 

[Praising4eva]

Mercy (or empathy) is also my first spiritual gift. I also have a leaning towards helps and service. I'm doing counselling and pastoral care.

 

[Solidlyhere]

I think the definition of Empathy has been mis-used.

Empathy is feeling the same emotion as another person.

So, if a person is crying, you will be crying too.
If a person is crestfallen, you are dragging your tail too.

Maybe you guys mean Compassion.

 

[Praising4eva]

I think the definition of Empathy has been mis-used.

Empathy is feeling the same emotion as another person.

So, if a person is crying, you will be crying too.
If a person is crestfallen, you are dragging your tail too.

Maybe you guys mean Compassion.

Empathy is not feeling the same, it is being able to relate to the other person's circumstances through their eyes based on an understanding of their cultural, political and socioeconomic background. This does not involve 'feeling' but understanding'.

I think we knew what the original poster intended when they used the word empathy so just decided to over-look it and not nit-pick. But since we're discussing the definitions, the above is the official definition of empathy used in third year counselling degree courses.

 

[Bunn]

This is also my gift. I have been blessed with a HUGE heart and plenty of various life experiences. It all helps me very much to give advice to others and relate to them.

I am planning on doing Pastoral counseling with a side of Christian psychology. Also working with a deliverance team hopefully to help counsel before, during, and after.

 

[tturt]

There are a zillion things you can do with this gift. One thing I can offer to you is - don't assume that you're to help with any problem that someone mentions to you other than prayer. In other words, pray and receive an answer before you obligate yourself. I know this applies to every gift but definitely with this one.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

I think the definition of Empathy has been mis-used.

Empathy is feeling the same emotion as another person.

So, if a person is crying, you will be crying too.
If a person is crestfallen, you are dragging your tail too.

Maybe you guys mean Compassion.

Gift of mercy.

I can tell people's moods, and sometimes I can feel their sadness and frustrations. I know I just recovered from years of it. My heart has a hard time overlooking someone who is suffering.

I am looking into getting any job in social work. I like to get a degree in Human services so can counsel and do art therapy.

Just trying to think outside of box with this gift. What can I do artisticly or what have you.

Thanks for responces so far. =)

 

[janny108]

I think the definition of Empathy has been mis-used.

Empathy is feeling the same emotion as another person.

So, if a person is crying, you will be crying too.
If a person is crestfallen, you are dragging your tail too.

Maybe you guys mean Compassion.

I think this does mean compassion or mercy. Like you say, the definition of empathy can be blurry. I don't see empathy in the bible. My sister thought she was an "empath" which is different than a ministry gift. I think empath is more of a human or parapsych quality.
Jan

 

[tturt]

Just remember to minister out of overflow. Get filled up, then minister.

 

[Shaggys_girl]

I am Chrisitan Empath. The closer I come to knowing Christ the stronger my gift is. I believe this is part of discerning of spirits. I am super sesitive to the spirit relm, and also to other people. People who do don't know my gift just know I am a human lie detector.

This is a very powerful gift. As an empath I do feel what others feel, good or bad, I always say I am a product of my enviroment. I know the Spiritial atmosphere of the room, I know when there are bad spirits near by. God has blessed me in so many ways with this gift.

The only down side. I DISLIKE large crowds. I am try to stay away from large crowds of people, except for other christians.

If you have any gift and are not sure what to do with it... PRAY! Only the Lord can give you direction. If you ask for his guidance he will direct you. You just have to listen. But if you are truly an Empath, then you will have no problem hearing him.

 

[Christina Littlejohn]

I am Chrisitan Empath. The closer I come to knowing Christ the stronger my gift is. I believe this is part of discerning of spirits. I am super sesitive to the spirit relm, and also to other people. People who do don't know my gift just know I am a human lie detector.

This is a very powerful gift. As an empath I do feel what others feel, good or bad, I always say I am a product of my enviroment. I know the Spiritial atmosphere of the room, I know when there are bad spirits near by. God has blessed me in so many ways with this gift.

The only down side. I DISLIKE large crowds. I am try to stay away from large crowds of people, except for other christians.

If you have any gift and are not sure what to do with it... PRAY! Only the Lord can give you direction. If you ask for his guidance he will direct you. You just have to listen. But if you are truly an Empath, then you will have no problem hearing him.

This is exactly me

 

[Mickey Cagle]

Mercy (or empathy) is also my first spiritual gift. I also have a leaning towards helps and service. I'm doing counselling and pastoral care.

 

[Mickey Cagle]

From what you have said i would check out gettin some Biblical counseling classes from a Christian college. So you can get techniques to use this gift properly. You might also ask your pastor what you could do to use this gift. But pray and see if God wants you to get into Biblical counseling. God Bless!

 

[Mickey Cagle]

My my do you have it all wrong.its simple going from religion to spirituality. Less man made doctrine more God. More freedom to discover the "I Am " I myself in church 43 yrs.Broke free. Now Empath Adivsor.working on Book. Also A Propher, yes hear God.you can to.

 

[Mickey Cagle]

I am Chrisitan Empath. The closer I come to knowing Christ the stronger my gift is. I believe this is part of discerning of spirits. I am super sesitive to the spirit relm, and also to other people. People who do don't know my gift just know I am a human lie detector.

This is a very powerful gift. As an empath I do feel what others feel, good or bad, I always say I am a product of my enviroment. I know the Spiritial atmosphere of the room, I know when there are bad spirits near by. God has blessed me in so many ways with this gift.

The only down side. I DISLIKE large crowds. I am try to stay away from large crowds of people, except for other christians.

If you have any gift and are not sure what to do with it... PRAY! Only the Lord can give you direction. If you ask for his guidance he will direct you. You just have to listen. But if you are truly an Empath, then you will have no problem hearing him.

I have so much for empathy dont know where to go. Oh we dont care for large crowds we pick up to much energy.

 

[Joined2krist]

I think you can work with sick people and those in hospitals. Do you have relatives that need care? show them empathy, God bless you

 

[Macchiato]

I think the definition of Empathy has been mis-used.

Empathy is feeling the same emotion as another person.

So, if a person is crying, you will be crying too.
If a person is crestfallen, you are dragging your tail too.

Maybe you guys mean Compassion.

Yes. This is accurate. My friend has this gift and can literally feel another's emotion. I used to be so enamored with this gift but I don't think I could function with this gift but it's such a blessing to those who have it. You're supposed to use it to be a blessing to others.