The idea of a bridge is that it connects two places. A bridge may cross a river, a chasm, a railway line, or whatever. It enables people to pass over. Bridges connect people. The use of empathy in communication is the same – it connects. Once mastered, empathy can be used as a helpful tool in evangelism, building a bridge for the Gospel. When someone shares a need or a problem with you, take a moment to empathise with them in the way I have described, making whatever sincere ‘emotional’ expressions seem right and good to you as they share their problem or their pain. Encourage them to keep sharing, and as they do, continue to express empathy in this way. Don’t switch to using words but stay with the emotional responses. If you do this, there will come a point where a natural pause is reached, and you will sense a change in the climate or atmosphere of the conversation. It is when you reach this point that you know that you have now ‘built the bridge of empathy’ and it is safe to proceed with sharing the Gospel. Remember that a bridge must be able to bear the weight of what passes over it. You can’t drive a four-ton truck over a two-ton bridge! So, take time to ensure that your bridge of empathy is strong and in place before you share the good news of life in Christ.