Compassion is a choice.

Being compassionate is not easy always. Compassion is a conscious choice you make every second in your life. When you are doing good in life and you are not facing any problem yourself, then there’s more option that you can be compassionate.
when we are already struggling with problem, all our energy will be spend in overcoming that. Do you think you will have time to show empathy and be compassionate?
But wouldn’t you be happy when someone show us compassion when we are suffering? Everyone can have this expectation, can we put small effort to bring relief to someone? I agree we may not solve their problem, but we can understand their problem and give them listening ears. Its actually win-win for both. You will get compassion from them in turn. No need to wait for someone outside to lift you up, we can hold hands of fellow person going through same situation and rise together.