“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Kindness can be a small gesture of generosity that holds the power to brighten up someone’s entire day. It can create a ripple effect, eventually leading more people to experience kindness in their lives. Whether it’s holding the door for a stranger, carrying someone’s groceries, or simply just offering a smile to your friend, these random acts have a remarkable ability to spread joy and warmth in our lives.
Being kind is just as good as receiving kindness. When we’re being kind, our brains release “love hormones”, which hold some great emotional benefits. Kindness is not just emotional, but spiritual as well. In Ephesians 4:32, we’re called to be kind and compassionate, and to forgive each other like God forgave us.
Jesus committed the ultimate act of kindness when he died on the cross to let us live, despite of our sins. Kindness is also one of the Fruits of the Spirit, which we should use to help us in our daily lives. A lot of people are only kind because they expect something in return. We as Christians are called to have unconditional kindness – being helpful to those who have no way of ever repaying us. This shows the posture of our hearts and gives us the opportunity to reflect Jesus.
Being kind is also a great way to practice humility. It actively prioritises another person’s needs over your own. Challenge yourself to set somebody else before you, to shift what YOU want to the back of your mind. Remember – Jesus sees everything, and rewards those who obey His commands. So, get out there and spread His goodness!
Kindness and Compassion
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being a kind and generous Lord. We ask for your Holy Spirit to help us to be like You and have unconditional kindness to all the people in our lives. Amen.
Challenge: Show kindness to a stranger or a person who won’t be able to repay you in any way. It might be hard at first but gets easier the more you do it!
