Kindness
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ephesians 4:32 ESV
As part of my training I have had to spend quite a bit of time looking at my core values – what is at the centre of who I am and so who I am to others around me, and kindness is one of those values.
Kindness for me is the starting point for everything we say, do, and think. It is usually the first question I ask when making a decision on something, and especially on the words I say “Is it kind?” The words that we say and the actions we take can either build someone up or they can tear someone down. In my experience, words have so much power and once said, they can never be unsaid.
Paul reminds us in Ephesians to be kind and tenderhearted. This does not mean we all become pushovers and allow others to treat us badly, because often the kindest thing to do is to be franc with someone, especially if it goes against your own values and beliefs. But I am very sure it is a great starting point for everything we do. It allows us to think outwardly and to pay closer attention to the people around us and allows us to attune with them and with their needs at a greater level.
This kindness stretches to ourselves too. Have you ever paid attention to the sorts of phrases you mutter to yourself when you’re frustrated with yourself? I know I am much much harsher with myself than I ever would be to any other person. Perhaps you are the same. But I am reminded that the person we hear the most day in and day out is ourselves, so why not speak kindly to ourselves, rather than harshly. It is definitely something I am trying to be better at, because as I say above, words are powerful, so why not use them to build each other and ourselves up.
Let’s Pray
For more opportunities to be kind to those around us
For a reminder to be kind to ourselves too
Written by Naomi Ackland, Office Coordinator for Swindon Youth for Christ