Choose kindness and something unexpected will happen
An unexpected thing happens when you choose kindness. The healing power of the Holy Spirit, flowing through you to the other person, heals your hurts too.
Many things annoy us today. If we're not vigilant, we can take our frustrations out on others, adding to their problems as well as our own. You have to make a deliberate choice to calm down and obey Jesus's Golden Rule:
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12, NKJV)
When you're kind, you never have anything to regret later, and it might have made someone else's day go easier. It all boils down to this: What type of person do you want to be?
Kindness is like gold, something of great worth. But unlike gold, it doesn't have to be in short supply. You can give away as much of it as you want and you'll always have more. In fact, you'll never run out.
Let's see how.
Jesus: champion of the downhearted
When we think about the hectic pace of society today then compare it to the time of Jesus in ancient Israel, we see that many things have changed. On the other hand, many things have not.
Peasants in ancient Israel had a hard life. They worked at backbreaking manual labor every day and rarely got ahead. They were oppressed by the Romans and scolded by the Pharisees.
Then along came Jesus of Nazareth. How different he was to them! He healed their sickness, listened to their problems, and showed them they were important to God. That was the first time in their lives they'd ever heard such a thing.
That's why Jesus attracted large crowds everywhere he went. When you choose kindness, that's what happens. Jesus touched people's lives with the love and compassion of God, paying attention to them in a way that lifted them up.
Without doubt, the kindest thing Jesus ever did was sacrifice himself for us on the cross, so we can enjoy eternal life with him in heaven. He continues to be kind to us every day, meeting our needs and healing our disappointments.
As always, Jesus sets the example for us. People all around you are hurting. They hunger to be appreciated. They long for someone to tell them they matter. They're aching for a compliment or encouraging word.
The astounding way of God's love
When you choose kindness, something astounding happens. In ancient times, medicinal balm or oil was applied to heal a person's wounds. When someone applied that healing oil to another, it was impossible to do that without getting some on their own hands.
That's what happens when you are kind. As the healing power of the Holy Spirit flows through you, like that oil, it touches your wounds and begins to heal them as well. We are a conduit for God's power, and as a reward, he leaves some of his grace behind on us.
We don't reach out to others with the expectation we'll get something out of it. We reach out because that's what Jesus tells us to do. Every time we choose kindness, we obey his command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
The Church has always been an epidemic of kindness. One person passes it on to another, who passes it on, right down the line. What you start with one person can turn into a chain reaction. That's what God wants.
Just as hate is contagious, so is love. Which one do you think God wants us pass on? It's our Christian duty to love, but it's a duty that makes us so much more like Jesus in the process.
Choose kindness and surprise people
Kindness is out of the ordinary. It's certainly not typical behavior in today's "me first", "out of my way", "I was here first", "it's all about me" world.
When you choose kindness, you'll be greeted by surprise and often suspicion. People will think you have some ulterior motive. Of course you do: to spread the love and good news of Jesus Christ.
What are some simple ways to be kind?
- Compliment a store clerk on their courtesy or positive attitude.
- Treat a relative to some baked goods or candy.
- Send a thank you note or card of appreciation to someone.
- Tell a friend you value your relationship with them.
- Hold the door open for someone.
- Let someone go ahead of you in line.
- Slow down to let another driver merge.
- Donate to a food pantry.
- Hug a relative and tell them you love them.
The news is bad. It's always been bad. Reading it or listening to it makes you depressed. To fight this trend, you don't have to be a politician or activist. You can start right where you live or work by living out your faith.
Make someone's life happier today. Let them know they matter. Give them something they haven't had in a long time.
Be like Jesus. Choose kindness.
Read inspirational quotations about KINDNESS...
How to be kind to yourself first
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