Kindness costs nothing but yields high returns.
Job 6:14
Repeat after me:
“Have a nice day.”
How about this one?
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
See, that wasn’t hard.
Being kind isn’t difficult nor does it take much effort. All it takes is a warm heart and a love for people… and some deliberate intentions.
Therein lies the rub.
As adults, there isn’t much we do that we don’t have choices. Yeah, I know, there’s work and all the demands of everyday life. There’s always places to go and schedules to keep. But isn’t most of that ultimately by choice?
Surely, you’re not going to be one of those people that say you have no choice in the things you do? Come on now… admit it.
That’s better…
Now that we’ve peeled that onion, let’s talk about why kindness is so hard to find.
I’m convinced that most people are unkind because they’re unhappy – or they’re just plain ‘ole mean. (I tend to think the former.)
Think about it… when we’re happy, we tend to treat people better. We’re definitely more outgoing and yes, more kind.
Today’s Tiny Words. Big Life. Bible verse is from Job. If anyone ever had a reason to be unhappy, it’s Job. He had just lost his family and his wealth, all at the hands of the Evil One, who was granted permission from God. Job was about as low as you can go.
He says, “If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—“
That’s pretty miserable!
He then goes on to talk about how people act when things are good, as if making an excuse for his emotional state.
“Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?“
No, we’re much more content, as well as donkeys and oxen, when things are good.
But I suppose that’s not the point here… We shouldn’t treat others well only when we feel good. God wants us to treat His children well at all times. And if you do, a funny thing will happen… You’ll feel better too.
The Tiny Words. Big Life. takeaway is this: Pray to spread the love of God by treating other people with kindness. Pray to rise above any judgment that we have on others and show them the kindness that you yourself desire. Pray to show the same grace that our Lord and Savior shows them.
And repeat after me:
If I want kindness, I need to give kindness.
On that, I’ll can only think of one thing to say:
“Have a nice day.”
Job 6:14
14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.