DEVOTIONAL: Just be KIND!
JUST BE KIND…….
During this time, I have seen so much kindness in the world. I have seen people come together and help those in need. I have seen so many amazing things that people are doing for our healthcare workers. I have seen people giving, loving and being the hands and feet of God and showing kindness in a time when we really need it. But guess what? I have also seen the ugly and unkindness in ways I have never seen before. I have seen people taking things they don’t need when there are so many in need right now. I have seen the unkindest words being spoken on social media because people are disagreeing about many aspects of this pandemic we are in.
I may not know much but as a Christian I KNOW what God says about kindness, acceptance and loving other people we do not agree with. I do not agree with many of the things I read and see but I can still be kind and respectful even when I disagree. I can be kind by…..saying nothing or by speaking my opinion respectfully and with kindness. Why do so many feel it is their place to be unkind and say unkind things just because they disagree? It seems to be the norm right now and let me tell you something….if you are a Christian that is NOT what God has called you to do. There are times to stand up and be bold for God but do you think God wants you to do that by putting others down, calling them names or being unkind with your words? If you read Gods word that is not what God calls us to do. The Bible says in Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Besides the obvious, we should be kind to others because God is kind to us! Ephesians 2:8 says, “Because of His kindness you have been saved through trusting Christ.” A kind heart most resembles God and pleases Him. Grace and kindness go hand in hand so as God has extended grace to us, so should we extend that same grace to others. I am so thankful God does not bash me or give up on me every time I say something or do something that He does not like. Whew! I would be in trouble! Another reason we should be kind is because we want others to be kind to us, right? “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12. So many people have extended their kindness to Addi and our family and I pray that I can extend that same kindness to others in their time of need. I truly want to do for others what they have done for our family in our time of need.
This is a time we should not waste but to show the kindness of Christ because this is a time when the world needs to see it the most. Kindness is love in action and God is LOVE! Today we should show kindness through our words and actions so that others can SEE and HEAR Christ living in us. During a time when life is kind of crazy and uncertain, our kindness goes a long way to others. If you see something and don’t agree….just keep scrolling or just be kind in your words. Sometimes we just have to accept that others have different views, beliefs, ways of doing things and religious beliefs. We don’t have to agree but we must be kind in our words and actions. What did your mama tell you when you were young…..If you don’t have anything nice to say, then just don’t say anything at all. Today and everyday find some way to…..Just Be KIND!
Prayer of Kindness:
Dear Heavenly Father I come to you today and I ask you to show me where I may have been unkind to others and forgive me for my actions. Show me today ways where I can show YOUR loving kindness in all my words and actions. God help me to respond to others with the kindness of Jesus so that they can see you living in me. I ask you to help me forgive those who have been unkind to me so that my heart can be released from that pain and in return help me to be kind in all my actions. Help me to accept the things I cannot change, to be kind in all my actions and to extend grace to others. God show me ways to show kindness today so that others can see you in me and that you will be pleased in all that I do.
Bible verses of Kindness
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Proverbs 11:17
“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”
1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.”
Proverbs 21:21
“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”