7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Matthew 5:7

Mercy: compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.

Once again we see a character trait that is not appreciated in American culture.

How we become and remain merciful in a callous, merciless society is where the rub is. In fact, much like meekness, displaying mercy can be construed as a sign of weakness.

Can you be taken advantage of by being merciful? Absolutely.

Can we be too merciful? Probably, though I don’t think most of us will have that problem. If anything, we lean towards not showing enough mercy and not having compassion.

But God had mercy on us and we ought to have mercy on others.

What that looks like is different for each person in each situation.

Generally, though, we should be compassionate when it is within our power.