Why do I have a knack for noticing people’s emotions and helping them calm down?
Question:
Hello!
I read an answer to an "empath" question. This has sparked another question within me. I have been a Christian and a member of the church of Christ for several years; however, I have a dilemma. I have always been able to "read emotions" and when I am around people who are feeling these strong emotions (whether good or bad) I tend to draw them away from the person. As an example I was with my friend at church one day when she came in and I could feel the fear rolling off of her in waves, my body's natural tendency was to "suck up the fear", I noticed her ease and she felt no more fear. She had explained later what it felt like: "One moment I thought I was drowning, and I knew I had to tell somebody, that's why I came to you. But once I walked over the fear vanished! It was as if I was never afraid..."
So if empaths are not real, claiming to be an empath is a lie, and a lie is a sin; what is the reasoning for what happens around me? I don't tell people about what actually is happening just for the reason that I do not want the attention taken from God, and I don't wish to be under Satan's influence. Can you further explain anything to me?
Thank you for your time.
Answer:
What everyone else would say is that you are simply a good listener. People are comfortable talking to you and in that way you share their burdens. "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). To ascribe this to some type of power to absorb other people's feelings is false.
