What if empathy could save us?Belinda Bauman was living a comfortable life as a wife, mother, and nonprofit leader—but her soul was checked out. Then she met Esperance. An assault survivor living in one of the poorest, most dangerous countries in the world, Esperance and other Congolese women shared their harrowing stories with Belinda. Their vulnerability set Belinda on a path of embracing empathy. If Esperance could love in the face of so much pain, maybe there is hopefor the world too.From the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to the borders of war-torn Syria, Belinda takes readers along her journey to empathy. With cutting-edge neuroscience, biblical parables, and stories of brave women from across the globe, she offers readers direction for seeing others' perspectives, listening well, and redeeming conflict. She casts a vision for lives and communities transformed by everyday Christians practicing empathy as a spiritual discipline.Join Belinda on a journey tobe brave—and see your world changed.



Belinda Bauman is the founder of One Million Thumbprints, a movement of peacemakers advocating with women in the world's worst conflict zones. Belinda is also the founder of and the visionary behind #SilenceIsNotSpiritual, a campaign calling churches to break the silence on violence against women. Belinda is a speaker and contributor to Newsweek's The Daily Beast, Red Tent Living, Huffington Post, and Christianity Today. Belinda completed a masters in curriculum development at Covenant College, and a certificate in lay trauma counseling from the Seattle School of Theology. She and her husband, Stephan, and their two sons live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.



Foreword by Christine Caine

Prelude: Mother's Day Epiphany

Introduction: If I Could Be Brave



Part I: Why Empathy Can Save Us

1. Beautiful Collision

2. The Power of Empathy

3. Make Your Mark



Part II: Learning to Love

4. Perspective-Taking

5. Empathetic Listening

6. Peacemaking



Part III: Now, Take Your Risk

7. Obstacle Illusions

8. Empathy as a Spiritual Discipline

9. The Thumbprint of God



Acknowledgments

Appendix A: Reflecting on Your Empathetic Listening Skills

Appendix B: Empathy Mapping: Putting It all Together

Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion

Notes