Just Be Kind
Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves. (Proverbs 11:17)
What does it take to be kind? A smile, a helping hand, a thoughtful gesture, or a servant’s attitude can be used. Often, we are influenced by the harshness of those around us who are extremely self-absorbed and bent on getting their own way. It is very easy to allow their behavior to influence ours. If we are pushed, we push back. If we are disrespected, we disrespect back with a higher percentage of venom than we received. If someone is short with us, we might unload our frustration on the next person we meet. All of that occurs, even before we leave our house for the day!
What does it take to be kind? It starts before an outward action. It always begins within the heart of the giver. Someone who is bent on being kind is “other-minded.” They are focused primarily on others instead of themselves. They are thinking how they can be a blessing instead of receiving one from someone else. They are people who are mindful of the pain in the lives of others, instead of being so wrapped up in their world that they can’t see the disillusionment around them. Kindness must come from within. For those who are in fellowship with Christ, it is a lifestyle which naturally flows rather than being forced. However, if we are not careful, we slide to the flesh side of the road and miss valuable opportunities to minister.
Years ago, my daughter Britni, who is a Japanese native speaker, was riding on a train in Japan near Hiroshima. Sitting next to her was a woman who had scars on her arms. When she heard my daughter speak Japanese, her eyes lifted and began to listen in on her conversation. Britni turned to her and asked her how she was doing and she blossomed like a flower. A kind word of concern caused the elderly woman to talk about her scars from the atomic bomb dropped on her city, when she was a child. There was no anger or hate…just a fellow pilgrim who was trying to manage her life.
Do you have any thoughtful words or actions on your heart today? There could be someone full of scars who desperately needs your caring voice. Just be kind this day…beginning in your home!
What does it take to be kind? A smile, a helping hand, a thoughtful gesture, or a servant’s attitude can be used. Often, we are influenced by the harshness of those around us who are extremely self-absorbed and bent on getting their own way. It is very easy to allow their behavior to influence ours. If we are pushed, we push back. If we are disrespected, we disrespect back with a higher percentage of venom than we received. If someone is short with us, we might unload our frustration on the next person we meet. All of that occurs, even before we leave our house for the day!
What does it take to be kind? It starts before an outward action. It always begins within the heart of the giver. Someone who is bent on being kind is “other-minded.” They are focused primarily on others instead of themselves. They are thinking how they can be a blessing instead of receiving one from someone else. They are people who are mindful of the pain in the lives of others, instead of being so wrapped up in their world that they can’t see the disillusionment around them. Kindness must come from within. For those who are in fellowship with Christ, it is a lifestyle which naturally flows rather than being forced. However, if we are not careful, we slide to the flesh side of the road and miss valuable opportunities to minister.
Years ago, my daughter Britni, who is a Japanese native speaker, was riding on a train in Japan near Hiroshima. Sitting next to her was a woman who had scars on her arms. When she heard my daughter speak Japanese, her eyes lifted and began to listen in on her conversation. Britni turned to her and asked her how she was doing and she blossomed like a flower. A kind word of concern caused the elderly woman to talk about her scars from the atomic bomb dropped on her city, when she was a child. There was no anger or hate…just a fellow pilgrim who was trying to manage her life.
Do you have any thoughtful words or actions on your heart today? There could be someone full of scars who desperately needs your caring voice. Just be kind this day…beginning in your home!
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2 Comments
I pray to develop this heart for kindness, which is only another way of showing love for someone else.
nAfter loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength there is the command to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
n“There is no greater commandment than these.”
nMark 12:28-33
There are people all around me that I think they don't deserve to have anyone be friendly to them. I want to have a heart like Jesus, that He was kind and friendly to everyone. It keeps my spirit in check to be friendly to everyone. Someone needs a kind word said to them everyday