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One part of the temperature that the weather man loves to tell us about is the heat index. Here is how it works from an unscientific point of view. The real temperature today will be 103 then they will take some formula of humidity and other aspects and tell you how it really feels. Just so you know if you don’t live in Texas, when it gets over 100 there is really not a lot of difference in how it feels. It is just plain ol hot.

Let me give you the definition of heat index per Wikipedia: The heat index (HI) is an index that combines air temperature and relative humidity in an attempt to determine the human-perceived equivalent temperature — how hot it feels. Key word of the day is human-perceived.

When dealing with others we need to keep in mind their emotional heat index. This is a simple truths term, let me explain. Here is how I come up with the emotional heat index: current experience + past experience + spiritual maturity = human-perceived emotions. EHD (emotional heat index)

In dealing with peoples EHD you need to keep some things in mind, here are just a couple. One is this; what might be important to you might not be to others. We come to each day with our own experiences; others have not had those same experiences. Keeping this in mind keeps us from being disappointed in other people’s response and keeps our own emotions in check.

Also keep in mind that if you are having a great day and great life at the moment not everyone is. This should not keep you from having a good day but it should help us be sensitive to those who are not. If you need a healthy dose of reality here remember back to the when you were not having a great day and it probably won’t take you back very many days.

Also on the emotional heat index meter is the fact that what is not important to you might be very important to others. When we keep this in mind it helps us to have empathy for others, it helps us to relate and minister. We like to think everyone has the same EHD meter but that is just not how God created us and that type of thinking keeps us from being able to really care for others.

People who stop considering others EHD can become insensitive and after a while others simply will not share their human perceived, felt needs with them. When that occurs the opportunity to love and have compassion on others simply drifts away.

Jesus met and healed all kinds of people during his 33 years on earth. From the sick to the broken to the sinful, he took time to hear their needs and then he stepped in to do something about it. When we listen and live with others needs in mind we are capable of doing the same.

Scripture: 1 John 4:11-12, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”

1 John 4:21, “And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.”

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to consider the emotions and needs of others. Help us to be kind, considerate and compassionate of others. Help us to mirror your love in the world we come in contact with. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ our loving Savior, Amen.