When Helping Hurts: The Silent Struggle of the Compassionate Heart
In a world desperately in need of kindness, compassion is often seen as a virtue to be admired, celebrated, and encouraged. And rightly so—compassion fuels generosity, empathy, and love. It builds bridges in broken places and soothes suffering. But there’s a side of compassion we don’t often talk about—a quiet, painful reality: when helping others begins to hurt, and when a heart too heavy with others' burdens starts to crack under the weight.
Less than a week ago, I went to a funeral service of a 27 year old young man who committed suicide. The stories I heard of his compassionate heart drew me in, as I struggle to manage my own sanity in this crazy world that seems so full of injustices.
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