3:64 – Kindness Always Wins

#faithbites #faithjourney kindness

I know I’ve said this before, but how hard is it to be nice? Calling someone names, insulting someone’s intelligence, acting like your way is the only way, isn’t a way to invite discussion. It’s not a way to build relationships or help someone grow. All it does is alienate and paint a negative light on you.

We don’t have to agree on things. I can make a mistake. I can be dead wrong. No matter what it is, being insulting doesn’t help. It may give you a chance to blow off steam, but at what cost.

Sure, we can think someone is an idiot or a jerk. That’s part of being human. What makes us Christian, or just good humans, is fighting against that urge and treating people with kindness and the benefit of the doubt. Let’s educate and not decimate.

Scripture

• Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. – Proverbs 16:24
• A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. – Proverbs 15:1
• Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. – Ephesians 4:29

Reflection

Grace. What a powerful word. Our words should be filled with Grace, kindness, and love. We should use our words to educate and enlighten, not to destroy or tear down.

I am often wrong and need to be corrected. Constructive feedback is always wanted. Mean feedback doesn’t help. Blaming doesn’t help. Calling names, doesn’t help.

Just show love and help others understand. When someone admits to being wrong, give them Grace and celebrate that.

Challenge

Is there someone in your life to whom you can show grace? Educate with kindness. Reach out to that person and help them. If they aren’t ready, back off. If they admit being wrong, thank them for that and build.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to be kind to each other. This is easier said than done. Give us a kind heard and kind words to share. Help us know what the person is receptive or not. If they aren’t ready, help us back off. Let us show your love in our words. Amen.