“The Power of Kindness”

Points to Remember 

“The Power of Kindness” – Sunday, April 25, 2021

We all pray for a kinder and gentler world.  But, what we must spiritually realize is – it begins with us.  An ancient philosopher, Philo of Alexandria, said, “Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

It can seem that times have never been tougher – and, for some persons, in tough times there can be a tendency to withdraw, because we are so consumed by our own fears, concerns and problems.  However, in doing so, isolation comes flooding in.  Yet a simple act of kindness can instantly re-connect persons to life in ways we may never know.

The Dalai Lama stated that kindness and compassion are among the principal things that make our life meaningful.  And Proverbs 21:21 supports this affirming, “He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.”

Any time you are upset with something someone has done, or something that’s happened to you, or if you’re disappointed with yourself, you can do something that is sure to lift your spirits and fill you with hope.  Perform a 2-Step:

Step 1, think a kind thought, and
Step 2, perform a kind act. 

You can seek to live from kindness to the point that it will set the tone for your life.

When you practice this 2-Step, a fascinating thing comes about.  Over time it becomes a reflex action to think and to live from kindness.  It becomes your nature.  Actually, it is your nature to be kind because ‘you are made in the image and after the likeness of God.’  Scripture confirms this in numerous passages, such as Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

We humans must rekindle our nature to be kind, but the earthly experience provides many difficulties and obstacles that challenge our kindness.  Yet we must remember that Jesus was able to handle it.  His commandment of “Love one another as I have loved you” is an instruction to be kind always and to everyone.  Jesus exemplified kindness, healing the sick, pouring himself out for the crowds who gathered to touch him.  It must have been exhausting.  But he replenished his strength with prayer and ongoing connection with God.  We can do the same.

The practice of kindness may at first seem simple.  Yet, upon reflection, it is much more complicated.  It can help to know kindness by seeing what it is not.  We all know persons who reach out, yet have their own agenda, constantly wanting something of you for their own benefit.  This is not kindness.  Or you may have family members or friends who want you to be or to behave in a certain way, not accepting your differences. This is not kindness.  Others may not feel comfortable empathizing with you when times are tough.  This is not kindness.

Kindness means to refrain from complaining or gossiping, letting the other driver go first.  It means sending a note or card, or (during normal times) making a hospital visit or bringing a meal to a person who is shut-in.  It means giving to the needy, being patient with those who try that patience.  It means forgiving with no strings attached.  True kindness means being gentle in our inner, private thoughts, catching ourselves from forming critical, negative judgments.  A surefire way to do that is to turn a negative thought into a prayer for that person.

Kindness does not only benefit the recipient of it.  It benefits most the person demonstrating it, even though that is not the reason we offer it.  Kindness naturally attracts good and keeps company with happiness.  Have you ever seen a kind person who was unhappy?

As Dr. Albert Einstein said, “The only life worth living is a life lived in service to others.”  This is a life of kindness.

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