MERCY (SPEAKING GIFTS)

The God-given special ability to serve and strengthen the body of Christ by ministering to those who suffer physically, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Their actions are characterized by love, care, compassion, and kindness toward others.

People with this gift:

• Focus upon alleviating the sources of pain and discomfort in suffering people.
• Address the needs of the lonely and forgotten.
• Are drawn toward opportunities to practically meet the needs of others.
• Express love, grace, and dignity to those facing hardships and crisis.
• Serve in difficult or unsightly circumstances and do so cheerfully.
• Concern themselves with individuals or social issues that oppress people.
• Are most fulfilled when visiting people in need- in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, orphanages, villages, or wherever God directs them.
• Devote significant time in prayer for the needs of others.
• Tend to place the needs of others ahead of their own.
• Grieves with those who grieve.

Traits: Empathetic, caring, responsive, kind, compassionate, sensitive, and 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: Rom. 12:8, Matt. 5:7, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 10:25-37