We all experience worry, hurts, and conflict. Often, we suppress our emotions and keep others at a safe distance. But we end up imprisoned, settling for shallow relationships with God, family, and friends. The key to a deeper connection? Empathy for yourself and others, says psychologist-therapist duo Bill & Kristi Gaultiere.
Empathy is often misunderstood, even maligned as nothing more than coddling or rescuing. Yet true empathy, the Gaultieres explain, respects truth and encourages personal responsibility. It’s Biblical and loving. Empathy relieves stress and renews energy. It strengthens emotional health and raises emotional intelligence. It enables us to resolve conflicts and develop close, loving relationships. It’s also how Jesus relates to us.
In their new book, Deeply Loved (Revell, Sept. 2025), Bill and Kristi weave together engaging true stories with compelling insights from Scripture and modern psychology to help readers. Bill and Kristi join Dale on today’s 95Podcast to talk through the powerful impact of giving and receiving empathy.
Links to Resources Mentioned or Related
- Website: Soul Shepherding.org
- Link: Soul Shepherding Retreat
- Link: Soul Shepherding Podcast
- Bill & Kristi’s New Book: Deeply Loved
- Email Bill & Kristi
- Link to NEW! Soul Care Essentials Online: 3-Session Video Series
- Link to NEW! Soul Care Essentials Cohort: 6 Weeks of Guided Conversations for Post-Conference Groups
- 95Network – Soul Care Essentials
- 95Network – Healthy Church Assessment
- Read Stalled: Hope and Help for Pastors Who Thought They’d Be There By Now
- Watch Podcast on YouTube
Key Takeaways
1) Grow in self-empathy and calm emotional triggers.
2) Learn how to release worries, comfort hurts, and overcome distress.
3) Practice the “four A’s of empathy” for yourself and others: 1 – Asking what you/they need, 2 – A tuning into your/their emotions, 3 – Acknowledging the significance of your/their experience & 4 – Affirming your/their strengths.
4) Engage Bible-based empathy practices to know you are deeply loved by Jesus.
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