Kindness

 

    Kindness is the ability to be friendly, generous, or considerate.  It is a common aspect of what God expects of all His people, but sometimes we find it difficult.  It is not always as easy as it sounds.  It comes down to our heart condition that day.  Some days we can show great kindness and other days it is hard to have a civil word to anyone.

    To be kind is to display Christlike character.  It needs to become a part of our daily practice and over time it does become easier.  If you are following Jesus, then you will follow a path of kindness.  That does not mean that you will be silent when things are wrong.  It just means that you are not going out of your way to make things worse.

    It is shameful to be unkind.  Harsh words don't convict people.  It only makes them angry and puts up walls when a few kind words said out of love can open up doors that you never imagined.  We need to allow the Holy Spirit to convict us to put kindness into action no matter what the situation may be.

    Kindness in action is thoughtful behavior that people find attractive.  It is being sensitive to the needs of other people instead of focusing only on what you want.  Kindness is being tenderhearted enough to find forgiveness instead of holding onto anger.  It is a trait true to every true Christian because you give your resentment, hurt, and anger over to God before it gets a stronghold on your spirit.

    Kindness works with goodness and gentleness.  We are called to be kind to the people that are disobedient to God, lazy, or lacking in what they need in the situation.  This does not come natural.  It is part of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit to show the world who God is.  

    We all need to recognize the worth of people, even people that we do not like or struggle to love.  God created them for a reason too.  He may be using them to fine tune you, so find it in your heart to appreciate them even if you do not want to be around them.  This is how you can become a fantastic witness.  Some people will never understand.  They may even mock the way you choose to live, but it is better to be right with God than to make superficial people happy.

Psalms 106:7-12, 2 Corinthians 10:1-2, Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:31-32, Colossians 3:12-15