Empaths, yes or no?

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CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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Nov 4, 2014
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I read someone here say to another, "perhaps you are a Christian Empath". I think that most women, by nature, are in tune with the mindsets and emotions of others because that is an attribute inherent to the nurturing component in many women.

But do you think there is actually that gift, that it can be biblically identified?

I have been told that is what I am, and I just wiped it off because it sounded too eastern with the universal spirituality.

But it makes me ponder, hmmm, I wonder..

Any thoughts, biblically?

Could it be a gift of discernment? The Holy Spirit is super natural, after all.
 
BenFTW

BenFTW

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I think this could also be a part of a word of knowledge, as well. Think about it, when you gain information that you couldn't have even known, and the Lord highlights that something is wrong with a person. It can both be natural and supernatural. The Lord can make a person stick out to you, draw you to them, so that you can minister hope and encouragement to them.
 
Merida

Merida

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CharliRenee said:
Wish I got a response!!!!
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Being empathic simply means that you pick up on the energy of the people around you. You're sensitive to when people are feeling off in some way, at least that's how I am. Some people are more sensitive to lots of noise and large crowds (moi) and a lot of that is because there are just too many people in one place at one time, and it overloads my senses. I think this is something that can happen to anyone, but some are just more prone to it. Have you ever been in a room of people and you just felt like you needed to leave? Probably because you were absorbing the negativity of someone(s) there. It isn't a religious thing at all. It's natural, and part of our fight or flight response to situations that make us uncomfortable.
 
T

theanointedsinner

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#6
let's also hope that even if we have empathy, may empathy not be one of those we can be numb to (even though compassion fatigue happens)

is empathy a feeling?
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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Merida said:
Being empathic simply means that you pick up on the energy of the people around you. You're sensitive to when people are feeling off in some way, at least that's how I am. Some people are more sensitive to lots of noise and large crowds (moi) and a lot of that is because there are just too many people in one place at one time, and it overloads my senses. I think this is something that can happen to anyone, but some are just more prone to it. Have you ever been in a room of people and you just felt like you needed to leave? Probably because you were absorbing the negativity of someone(s) there. It isn't a religious thing at all. It's natural, and part of our fight or flight response to situations that make us uncomfortable.
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Thank you for responding, much appreciated. Sure, I have uneasy in a room without knowing why. I figured we all have those moments. I guess that I think everything is a God thing. Nature is His, but I definitely hear what u r saying.
 
T

theanointedsinner

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if only we can constantly empathy what souls are feeling in heaven, that would be wonderful
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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theanointedsinner said:
let's also hope that even if we have empathy, may empathy not be one of those we can be numb to (even though compassion fatigue happens)

is empathy a feeling?
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Hmmmm, good question, it is rooted in an emotional response.
 
T

theanointedsinner

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#10
#10
the idea of having empathy, when we think about it, can feel as if softening, innocence

and far too often, society condemn it as the most opposite of masculine trait imaginable
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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theanointedsinner said:
if only we can constantly empathy what souls are feeling in heaven, that would be wonderful
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Oh wouldn't it though. It would be beyond wonderful!! Can't even imagine because to be it is like a connection.
 
BenFTW

BenFTW

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So are you asking this beyond the role of ministry, and more in the realm of personal experience?
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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theanointedsinner said:
the idea of having empathy, when we think about it, can feel as if softening, innocence

and far too often, society condemn it as the most opposite of masculine trait imaginable
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So true, I do think it is an attribute given to a nurturing component. I'm curious, do you have an empathetic heart.
 
T

theanointedsinner

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#14
#14
theanointedsinner said:
let's also hope that even if we have empathy, may empathy not be one of those we can be numb to (even though compassion fatigue happens)

is empathy a feeling?
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I also think that the fear of being numb to it, mixed with the concept that "over-exposure" leads to numbness

we might worry that we might lose empathy, become sociopaths, and we also wonder what might be the worst of who we are, why does God love even the most sociopath aspect of ourselves, and what's amazing is that we don't need to fully grasp the worst that we can sin, we can be wowed at the depth of God's love, the depth, width, length and height is all encompassing, and God can relate to us, even though the risk of being self-deceived is an all time constant (Jeremiah 17:9)
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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BenFTW said:
So are you asking this beyond the role of ministry, and more in the realm of personal experience?
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I'm curious if it is a biblical thing, like could an empath, one who picks up on something going on with others, could that be needed to be an encourager or discerment? I can not think of any biblical reference. I'm probably just overthinking. I was wanting to pick y'alls brains.
 
BenFTW

BenFTW

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You can also read people's posture, facial expression, demeanor and so on. There is a gift of exhortation, so I could see how being able to discern someone as needing it, being of great help. You'd kind of have to be empathetic in order to desire to encourage them. lol It would allow you to have compassion.
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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#19
Nov 4, 2014
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#19
theanointedsinner said:
I also think that the fear of being numb to it, mixed with the concept that "over-exposure" leads to numbness

we might worry that we might lose empathy, become sociopaths, and we also wonder what might be the worst of who we are, why does God love even the most sociopath aspect of ourselves, and what's amazing is that we don't need to fully grasp the worst that we can sin, we can be wowed at the depth of God's love, the depth, width, length and height is all encompassing, and God can relate to us, even though the risk of being self-deceived is an all time constant (Jeremiah 17:9)
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I agree 100% with the numbness . Coping skills sometimes make this option wise, folks become weary if they care too much, eh? Jeremiah has so many good verses. So thankful.
 
CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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Nov 4, 2014
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#20
BenFTW said:
You can also read people's posture, facial expression, demeanor and so on. There is a gift of exhortation, so I could see how being able to discern someone as needing it, being of great help. You'd kind of have to be empathetic in order to desire to encourage them. lol It would allow you to have compassion.
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Yeah, I def think so. Ty
 
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