So what exactly is yesterday’s verse in Romans telling us? Should we be constantly swayed by all the emotions of everyone around us? If you read the entire chapter of Romans 12, you will find that it is primarily talking about worshiping and living together with other believers. The metaphor of being one body is used to show how we may all have different gifts and abilities, but can still work and worship together as one. Then Paul discusses how true love for our fellow believers involves action. Help each other out. Be kind to each other. Share our emotions and live in harmony with one another.
Well, there is a good musical term: harmony. Yesterday, I mentioned having a good balance between protecting ourselves (insulating ourselves from the emotions of others) and being compassionate (sharing the emotions of others). One step beyond that is the concept of harmony. Harmony isn’t playing or singing the same note as everyone else. It’s playing a different note, but one that goes with the others.
We can learn to share another person’s pain and suffering without losing ourselves in that pain. Think of it as a bridge connecting you to that other person. They may be floundering in hopelessness, but you can connect to them and provide them with a link back to stability. Be in harmony with them, without having the exact same feelings as them. Share their mourning, but stand firm in your own peace and strength, helping them find their way out of despair.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, jast as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:12-13