Mercy
Description:
The gift of Mercy is the divine enablement to cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering or are in need, compassion moved to action.
Distinctives:
People with this gift...
- Focus upon alleviating the sources of pain or discomfort in suffering people
- Address the needs of the lonely and forgotten
- Express love, grace, and dignity to those facing hardships and crisis
- Serve in difficult or unsightly circumstances and do so cheerfully
- Concern themselves with individual or social issues that oppress people
Traits:
- Empathetic
- Caring
- Responsive
- Kind
- Compassionate
- Sensitive
- Burden-bearing
Cautions:
People with this gift...
- Need to be aware that rescuing people from their pain may be hindering God's work in them
- Need to guard against feeling "unappreciated" since some of the people helped will not show or express any appreciation
- Should guard against becoming defensive and angry about the sources of others' pain
References:
Definition taken from Network: Participants Manual, p. 89.