7 Habits of Highly Effective Christians #5

Habit 5: Sensitivity

Verse: “Jesus wept.” John 11:35

In December 2003, out-of-the-blue, my first wife suffered a catastrophic hemorrhage in both the right and left hemispheres of her brain. Three days later, at the doctor’s recommendation, we removed life support and she passed away at age 51. I have never cried so hard or so long in my entire life. The tears came in wave after wave of anguish. Soon my eyes were puffy and red from sorrow, yet still I cried. Without question, her death has been the most difficult experience of my life. I pray that you never face a similar situation.

Bible: Today’s verse is only two words long, but it speaks volumes about the sensitivity of Jesus. He enjoyed a rich emotional life that spanned the full range of sensitivity. We only get glimpses of Jesus’ emotions throughout the Gospel accounts, but they remind us that Jesus is indeed fully God and fully man.

Two therapists, Frank and Dixie Morris, maintain that there is a kaleidoscope of variations, but only 6 primary emotions. Similar to the 3 primary colors, our feelings form many shades of emotional intensity and coloring. But all of them can be traced back to one of the 6 primary emotions. They form the acronym SASHET, and Jesus experienced them all:

• Sad: There are only two times that Jesus wept openly. He wept as He stood before the grave of his friend, Lazarus. He wept again as He approached Jerusalem knowing that in a few short years the city would be destroyed.
• Angry: Jesus was angry for righteous reasons. Twice He cleared the temple of merchants and moneychangers. Once Jesus seemed exasperated by the people’s lack of faith and said, “O unbelieving generation … How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you” (Mark 9:19).
• Scared: Is it possible that Jesus was ever afraid? Jesus was never afraid of men, or what they might do to Him. But He experienced fear twice in His life, and both times for the same reason. The first time was in the Garden of Gethsemane as he anguished over the mere thought of being separated from the Father. The other time was on the cross as He actually experienced the separation, and said, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken [abandoned] Me?” (Matthew 27:46b)
• Happy: Jesus attended a wedding in Cana where He turned water into wine. It was a happy and joyous occasion.
• Excited: As the Twelve gathered in the Upper Room for the Last Supper, Jesus told them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer” (Luke 22:15). He was excited to be with them once more before He died.
• Tender: There are many examples in the Gospels of Jesus’ tenderness. My favorite is the man with leprosy who begged Jesus on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mk. 1:40). The next words reveal Jesus’ tenderness, “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the man.” He was not only willing, He healed the man.

Application: It’s time for an emotional EKG. Take each of the primary emotions one at a time, and do two things. First, ask yourself, “When was the last time I felt _____? And then, for that emotion, pray the prayer listed below:

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