So what exactly is an empath? We know empathy means to be understanding of someone else’s feelings. Being an empath would logically mean one who shows empathy, right? Right. However, it is a little deeper than that.
I became curious of the true definition of an empath, because, I believe I am one. I feel others feelings as if they were my own. It is often times hard for me to have a good time somewhere if there is even just one person who is not having a good time. I feel their discomforts and I feel their pain. I am always drawn to these people. One, because for some reason I feel that they reserve judgements, and I am comfortable to share myself with them. But mainly because I want to try to lessen their discomfort.
According to the google search dictionary, an empath is “a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual.”
For me, this makes complete sense, and describes my life perfectly. This also helps to explain my introversion. I feel mentally exhausted after being around more than two people for an extended amount of time (I am usually capped out after about 4 hours) as I am feeling the feelings, vibrations, energy, thoughts, of all around me. I have always been able to sense when people have ill-intentions, or have general (unjust) hate towards me or others (I hate using the word hate, but I have felt it, and unfortunately that’s what it is).
We are all, as believers of Jesus Christ, given a spiritual gift. If this sounds like you, this may be your spiritual gift. It may not feel like one, but it is. Trust your spiritual gift. You are not crazy. The vibes you get, the energy of others you feel, are true.
Romans 12:3-8 ESV
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Peter 4:10-11 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
I was not able to find any biblical renderings of being an empath. This is kind-of a controversial topic among Christians, as there are no direct bible verses about it. Some will say that this gift is evil, that it is from the devil. Some will say that in comparing the characteristics of an empath to Jesus, that is the reference in itself.. since the word “empath” is pretty new, of course you won’t find it in the bible. Jesus took on/ felt our hurt and sins, and died on the cross to save us from it.
The unfortunate part of being an empath, is that we feel the pain, negativity, hate, discomfort of others. This can be an evil thing, if we let it. If we let the pain control our lives. So what we must do, is pray. We must pray to God, that he reveals to us the true purpose of our gift. That we can use our gift to bring glory to Him.
Heavenly Father, I thank you for revealing my spiritual gift to me. I pray that you can guide me on how to use this gift to bring glory to you. I pray that I can use this gift to help others become believers, and help others to feel your grace and your presence. I pray that the peace and love of the Holy Spirit defends against letting the negative aspects of this gift live in my heart. Heavenly Father, it is in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Struggling Human 101 