The Compassion Test by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12, NIV).

I enjoy almost every type of shopping except for grocery shopping. I am thankful that we have enough money to purchase food, but it is the environment of the grocery store that can be irritating. People park their carts in the middle of the aisle blocking progress. I always manage to get the cart that squeaks, or the wheel doesn’t turn. And now there is an egg shortage!

However, no matter how much we dislike a situation, we still need to be kind and passionate and this week I failed at the grocery store. I was bagging my groceries while the cashier tallied the goods and when I was done bagging I went to pay. However, the woman behind me had moved her cart up to the card reader, crowding me. She immediately pulled her cart back but I snidely said, “I need some room.” I did not need to say that. She moved out of my way. “Thank you” would have been a kinder response.

Jesus demonstrated compassion, even in the direst of days. In Matthew 14 after he learns that John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus was clearly distraught and “withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” But the crowds followed Jesus and despite his grief “he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”  Would we have blamed Jesus if he had shooed the large crowd away because he was mourning his friend? I don’t think so. But Jesus rose above his sadness and still had compassion on the ones who needed him. He passed the compassion test.

God, in his mercy, gave me another opportunity to be kind and compassionate. I was trying to find the right dress for our documentary premiere and instead of hurrying through the process, I took the time to converse with the young woman who was helping me. I asked questions and found out she works full time at the store but is completing her Masters’ degree at the same time. I thanked her for her help and invited her to our May 3rd Level-Up Women’s Conference. This time, I passed the test.

It’s a good practice to pray to be compassionate each day, no matter what happens. Most of the time the person we are short with had nothing to do with the irritations we might have experienced during the day. Let’s look to Jesus as the example and be kind and compassionate at all times. Let’s pass the test.

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If you have not purchased our new devotional book, Treasure, it is not too late! Lane Jordan Burday and Lisa Burkhardt Worley, along with the POP Team, combined their talents to write the book, which is full of wonderful inspiration. You will be inspired by the messages, and receive daily treasure as God will speak to you through His Holy Spirit. To buy Treasure just click on the Amazon link that takes you directly to the page. https://tinyurl.com/2uj9sn5x.

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