“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
I’ve been listening to a book by Donna Cameron. It is entitled “A Year of Living Kindly”.
In the book, she talks about the difference between being nice and being kind.
BEING KIND TO OTHERS
In my opinion, being nice can be false and a person can put up this facade to keep the peace. If you are nice, it might help keep situations calm.
If you are kind, you don’t expect anything in return.
A few weeks ago, I went through a drive-through and the car in front of me had paid for my meal. I didn’t pay it forward. The next time I went through the drive-through I paid for the car behind me. That wasn’t necessarily kindness. I was trying to pay it forward because I didn’t do it before.
Kindness is a mindset. When you are kind, you view things through a different lens. You try to see the good in every situation.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,”
Galatians 5:22 (NIV)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, …”
Titus 3:3-5 (NIV)
“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: …..in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;”
2 Corinthians 6:4,6 (NIV)
Being a servant of God and a representative of Christ, we are called to be kind. When given the choice to be nice or be kind, choose kindness. when we do that, we make God smile.
