I Feel for You

Empathy is such a frustration in my world. Yes, I just said that.  I wish I had sympathy instead, most of the time.  But no, I have empathy, which means I literally feel what someone else is feeling.  Not just that I can relate to it, no, I actually feel it. My own emotions can be very difficult to decipher sometimes because it's confusing.  I will feel sad and try to figure out what's making me sad, when in actuality, nothing has made me sad, but rather someone I love is sad about something and I'm feeling it for him/her.  So, how does God make empathy a positive attribute of my life?  Well, I believe this gift is why I am able to walk alongside another and help carry the burden.  I can relate on a spiritual level and not just an emotional level.  This is good and bad.  It can be very draining.  This is when I experience the introverted part of my ambivert (look it up ;-D) self.  I love people.  Sharing their load helps them, while it drains me.  I make sure to have enough God time to refill, since it is Him in me who carries the burden anyway.  If this is something you experience, I encourage you to make time with God on a regular basis to refill and remind yourself that He is the one who handles it all.  Cast all your cares upon Him. (That's in the Bible somewhere, but I have no idea where. hahaha!)