You must have it.

In her book, Resolutions for Women, Priscilla Shirer writes:

"Yes, you can have it - a godly sympathy that leads to action.  You must have it.  Because your world is waiting to experience Christ through you.  You are the solution the problem is waiting for.  This is why your heart is hurting.  This is why it's so hard for you to look.  This is the reason your tummy churns at the sight of it.  This is compassion.  So ask the Lord to break your heart, to reveal a need in all its horrible actuality until He gives you the courage to respond.  What is causing your heart to break?  This is your cue.  Do something."  ~  p. 127

I absolutely love how this book is more than just fluff...each resolution that Priscilla is guiding us to think about, pray about, and consider...while studying God's Word on the issue...she is pointing us to be more Christ-like.

Compassion.  Jesus had compassion.  He wept when Lazarus died.  He was moved with compassion when He saw the crowds.  He was there for people who would later turn their backs on Him.  He had compassion on the woman at the well. 

Time and time again, we see His compassion.  When we display Christ-like compassion, we are being a reflection of our Heavenly Father to a hurting world.