Why Kindness Matters - Sunday 8 AM

How would you define the word “kindness”? It is a difficult word to define because it has so many components, but we all know when we experience it. A warm smile, an act of care, and a word of encouragement all embody kindness. Kindness is listed as one of the gifts of the spirit and one of the characteristics of God when describing God’s concern for humankind. Science has discovered that being kind has health benefits, from lowering blood pressure to increasing life expectancy. While kindness has all these benefits, both physically and spiritually, it is not always easy. It is easy when you are in a good mood or like the person you are caring for, but when you are stressed or find the other person difficult, being kind may be the last thing you want to do. Yet, it is in these moments that as a person of faith, we are called to be kind and to step out of our story and connect with the story of the other. Jesus tells us that we are called to be kind not only to those we like but also to our enemies. By being kind to those we disagree with, we reflect the kindness of God. For God saved us and was kind to us when we rebelled against God. That is kindness at the deepest level, but for us, that is not always easy.

Dig deeper: 

When do you find it most challenging to be kind, and what makes it so difficult?