Be Kind. Easy to say, not so easy to do. It costs us something. It takes time. It requires thought. It is important to God. 

2MefromHim Devotionals

Be Kind

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Be kind. A simple phrase to say. Not so easy to convey.

Non-Christians often view Christians as being mean and small-minded. The saddest commentary is that often Christians see other Christians as acting mean and judgmental rather than kind and prayerful.

A recent conversation made me realize I had more in common with a non-Christian than I do with some Christians who are closest to me. Perhaps you’ve experienced the same. It’s hurtful and disturbing, and Paul had a lot to say about how Christians treat their brothers and sisters in Christ. The basic gist of his words is simple: Be kind.

Colossians 3 reads like a summary on how Christians should treat others, the lists of do’s and don’ts in our “Christian family” relationships are comprehensive and overwhelming. How sad that even today, Paul’s lists go ignored by those who self-righteously believe they are helping, when what they do, in truth, is downright mean.

Someone once said that Christians are the only army who shoot their own wounded. Sadly, Christians are often the ones responsible for the wounding in the first place.

What does it cost to be kind?

To be kind costs us something. It costs time to think about our words and actions. To be kind requires we put ourselves in another’s shoes and listen from their viewpoint. We must set aside our own opinion and without judgment, consider their feelings as valid. To be kind means we learn what another’s gifts and abilities are and allow them to operate in their area of giftedness.

To be kind, according to Colossians 3, means to set aside anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lies. I don’t believe this means cursing at one another, in all situations, but not speaking in disrespect when another expresses how they feel, not negating the validity of their interpretation.

In other words: Don’t be mean. Be kind.

To be kind means we treat others in every interaction with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. If we have not done so, we need to return and ask their forgiveness. Paul says in Philippians 2:3: “…in humility consider others better than yourselves.”

If you feel disrespected, step back and keep quiet if necessary. Rather than reacting in the wrong way, wait God’s time and insight about how to act in his way. When you do take action, be kind.

© Copyright by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 4, 2018

About the author:

Norma Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, won the 2016 Bookvana Religious Fiction Award. A women’s Bible study leader for over 21 years, her devotionals and poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us, the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Historical Writers of America, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Norma is a former RN who lives in the mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 41 years. They have two adult children. If you’re interested in connecting with her, you’re to follow her blog, or join her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, or Amazon.