Kindness

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Job 6:14      He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Proverbs 19:17     Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Micah 6:8     He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Matthew 7:12     So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Ephesians 4:32     Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Philippians 2:3     Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant that yourselves.

Colossians 3:12-14     Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.  And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:23     Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men

Colossians 4:6     Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

1 Peter 4:10     Show hospitality to one another without grumbling

 

Isn’t it a wonderful thing every time you experience kindness.  Not everyone exudes kindness.  We see a lot of impatience, frustration, exasperation, maybe some anger and it can occur often in our lives.  It can make us feel frustration and anger also.  We may have no idea what the person expressing the dissatisfaction is going through, but the impatience and unkindness they have shown have negatively affected others.  But impatience and unkindness can hurt others, and be a direct cause for them to get upset; and then perhaps can cycle the emotions to a larger group.  Oftentimes, we tend to hold onto frustration and anger which started by a person’s negative feelings.

There are some very special persons and they do not seem to get flustered or impatient, and try to always show others goodness, patience, and kindness.  Those are generally persons who care about others and want to show them kindness always.  They seem able to not absorb the negative emotions and try to diffuse such situations with a kind word or comment.  Kindness goes a long way to helping another care and to 

Kindness is the fruit of the Spirit and when others see kindness shown repeatedly, one knows the one showing kindness and love is a follower of Jesus.  The Holy Spirit guides and encourages us to show kindness, gentleness, patience and love.  Colossians 3 instructs us to intentionally clothe ourselves with kindness.  Just as we dress as warriors to defend against the devil, we need to dress with kindness.

There are so many ways we can offer kindness to others.  We can bring a sick or grieving person meals, offer to shop when someone is ill, sitting with someone in the hospital while they are visiting a loved one, praying for recovery, volunteering to babysit so a couple can go out, pet sitting so someone can travel,  sending a card or text when you know someone is having a difficult time, driving someone to an appointment or any other kindness someone needs.  Certainly speaking kindly at all times is indicative of one who believes in kindness and shows it.

In the Old Testament, Rahab showed kindness to the two spies who entered Jericho.  She harbored them, protecting their lives–not knowing if they would protect her and her family–and then helped them escape by letting them down from her house, telling them the direction they should go and that they should hole up for three days then return to their camp.  This was kindness.  Before they departed from her home,  she asked them to protect her family when the Israelites invaded Jericho.  But she had already helped them and possibly put herself in danger by her assistance.  As God designed, the Israelite spies agreed, and hence her kindness to these two men gave her the privilege of being in the lineage of Jesus.

Ruth was another woman who showed kindness.  She had grown to love the Israeli woman who was her mother-in-law, and I think she gained strength and learned about the only true God from her husband and in laws.  Whatever her reasons, she chose to stay with Naomi when Naomi decided to leave Moab and return to Bethlehem in Judah, Ruth chose to leave her relatives and country and return with Naomi.  Naomi, tired and depressed tried to urge both daughters-in-law to not accompany her and to return to their families.  One chose to return, but Ruth insisted on going with her mother-in-law, and stated ,”…you’re God will be my God.”   She took care of Naomi, gathering food for her, working and providing for her, and being a good and loving–a kind–companion.  

Ruth’s story continues when Boaz, the owner of the field where she is gathering part of the harvest as it is food for herself and Naomi.  Boaz ensured she would be protected, and then once he learned she was Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Naomi being a relative through her deceased husband, Boaz paid extra attention ensuring that she had extra grain to carry home each evening.  Boaz showed kindness to Ruth.  He tried to find a permanent provider through a relative that was closer than he was, but the man did not want the responsibility so Boaz married Ruth, providing for both her and Naomi.  Kindness.  They, too, were part of Jesus’ lineage.

Kindness is so vital and positive building to the recipient.  It makes the person feel noticed, accepted and lifts the spirits.  I believe kindness is catchy–like a positive virus.  Receiving kindness encourages the recipient to be kind in return.  Being kind encourages others to be kind.  For the most part we are a selfish, self-centered bunch and often don’t take the time to be kind.  Our selfishness makes us feel ‘so important’ and therefore acting as though it is not necessary to show kindness.  How sad that is.  And I have been guilty of this behavior.  Thankfully, I have the Holy Spirit within and He reminds me when I feel impatient and that rudeness rather than kindness wants to bubble forth.  

I want to be more patient, more kind, more gentle and loving.  I feel as though I have so far to walk this journey and wonder if I will ever be where I would like to be on this journey.  But I choose to try to always be kind and to walk with God.

Thank You, God for Your patience with my fumbling and slow growth to be kinder and walk closer with Him.  I am so thankful You chose me and have so richly blessed me and ‘mybellaviews.’

 

One of the strongest of all virtues is kindness

If you lovingly remember others, they will never forget you.

Kindness is the insignia of a loving heart.                  All these quotes The Complete Book of Zingers by Croft M. Pentz, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, Wheaton, IL 1990