5 Ways Being Kind Will Bless Your Life and Make You Happy
Paul wrote:
Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32
Jesus told us to:
Love each other. Just as I have loved you.
John 14:34
And Evangelist Henry Drummond combined the two, saying…
But being kind consistently is hard, isn’t it? Honestly, it can feel impossible.
On those days when we don’t feel well or our mood is less than sunny . . . and especially when everyone seems to be sucking the joy out of the air, it can be easier to be inconsiderate and indifferent than it is to be kind.
I have to admit that I’ve learned something important about life when I’ve given in to bad days and unpleasant people.
I never feel better and I’m never happier.
I’ve learned that kindness blesses the one who offers it as well as the one who receives it.
So, let’s take a closer look…
5 Ways Being Kind Will Bless Your Life
1. Being Kind Can Brighten Your Mood.
Being kind feels good. I’m always amazed at the way a simple act of kindness can brighten my day . . . a simple smile that gets returned, a random compliment that is received with a smile and a thank-you, or an appreciated small act of courtesy. Those are just some of the little things that make life better.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
Proverbs 15:30
2. Being Kind Is a Cure for Materialism.
It’s so easy to focus on our phones and building possessions, popularity, and power. But when you and I make kindness a priority, we open ourselves to new connections and friendships. God created us to be in relationships and to encourage each other with the gentle kindness that flows from His love.
Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!
Ecclesiastes 5:10
3. Being Kind Is a Cure for Loneliness.
I know so many people who are lonely “in real life” even though they have hundreds of “friends” on social media. Sometimes doing something kind for someone else is all it takes to make a connection that turns into a lasting friendship.
So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
4. Being Kind is a Great Investment.
Sharing a smile, a kind word, or a listening ear is completely free and the payback is often huge.
If you ask me, that’s a great return on any investment.
Yet, the kindness and grace God has given us . . . cost Him His one and only Son. What an amazing example He set for us.
He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.
Ephesians 1:7
5. Being Kind is Often Contagious.
I love how often people will pay an act of kindness forward. When you and I are thoughtful toward others we just might be starting an endless chain reaction that goes on and on and on.
“Ever notice kindness is contagious? Sometimes all it takes is a cheerful customer service rep or a whistling stranger to turn our day around. Who knows who you’ll inspire to treat others well because of your example! Trust the ripple effect.” ~ Candace Cameron Bure
Let’s pause to pray and ask God to help us be kind…
A Prayer Thanking God for Being Kind & Gracious
And Asking Him for Help to be Kind, Too
Father, I thank and praise You for being kind to me. You are so rich in kindness that You gave Your only Son, Jesus, to suffer my punishment and save my soul. (Ephesians 1:7) You have been kind and generous in giving me the gift of faith and forgiveness. Lord, I worship You! Please help me to be loving and kind like Jesus.
Please forgive me for the times I’ve been self-absorbed and selfish . . . the times I’ve focused more on things and neglected people. Jesus showed us that when we treat one another with kindness, we open doors to sharing Your love. And Lord, I can see how treating everyone with grace and kindness also blesses me. When I’m sad, being kind can brighten my mood. When I’m lonely, kindness builds relationships. Although it only costs a little it is worth more than we may ever realize. And by Your grace, it may spread farther than we can ever imagine.
Thank you for blessing me with Your kindness and the kindness of others. And Father, when people are unkind . . . please give me all that I need to respond with love, like Jesus. In whose name, I pray. Amen.
One more thing, remember…
People are watching. You and I represent Jesus everywhere we go and those watching us are making up their mind about Him by what they see in us.
So let’s make kindness a priority. Let’s commit to making it a habit both in person and online.
I believe it’s possible to change the world one kind moment at a time and at the very least . . . we’ll bless and improve ours.
Take a moment this weekend to memorize Colossians 3:12.
Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Carry kindness in your heart, apply it to your life . . . I promise it will bless you!
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Thanks alott that is good to hre that to love the one another..Amen james
I’m so glad you were blessed and encouraged, James. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. God bless you!
Your commentary today on kindness struck a chord with me.
I like the 5 reasons for being kind. I know when I am on the receiving end of someone’s kindness it affects me the way Candace Cameron Bure described.
I try to show kindness just as Jesus did when interacting with others.
Thank you Deb for this uplifting and inspiring devotion. Have a blessed day and weekend❣️????
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Sharla! God bless you!
Deb I have used your website about truth when I spoke as the litergist. You are such a blessing to me. I use many things when speaking at my secret Sister’s program. Thank you for your time, efforts and the thoughts based on God’s word.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me, Vicky! It is truly a blessing to know that you’ve been inspired and encouraged. May God bless you as you continue to minister to others.
Amen Deb! Beautiful and oh so true! Kindness is a magic wand of sorts! And it can be passed on and on and on! I read once, “if you can pass along a smile, you have a talent!” That has always stuck with me. I try to always smile at others no matter where I am! And it is amazing how many smile back and like you said, their smile helps me!
Being kind costs us nothing and as I learned in health class a long time ago, it takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown! Blessings for a weekend of kindness and many happy returns! Love you, sweet friend!
I love the quote, Kathy! I want to remember that! And I’ve always said I’d rather have wrinkles from smiling that frown lines etched into my face. So far it’s worked. I have some deep permanent smile lines. LOL God bless you, dear friend!
Showing kindness to others costs us nothing but a smile or kind word to someone else, and so often turns out to be a blessing to us in return. It’s a win-win scenario!
Blessings, Deb!
Amen, Martha!
It’s interesting how often I have total strangers pour their heart, or troubles out to me without any prompting. My hubby always waits patiently on the side, then shakes his head while asking, what is it with you that people open up like this? And my answer is always the same…I don’t know. Maybe they feel instinctively that I won’t brush them aside. We all need a listening ear, and heart. And indeed it’s very true that we just don’t know where it leads to. It could be as simple as the Holy Spirit’s gift of caring. Though I have to admit, it is definitely the hardest to be kind with nasty people. And the Lord gave me a life lesson there. Couple of years ago we had a tenant moving next to us and one of her first priority was to rip into me, calling vile names and just displayed so much hatred that I was trully taken back. All this from a person I never met, never had a word of exchange with, didn’t even know her name. I struggled for a long time in front of Jesus how to react to her. Then one day we bumped into each other, and started to talk about a neutral subject, then I casually introduced myself like we never met before. While on the long term it didn’t change her, my reaction took the wind out of her sail.
While I believe in kindness, first and foremost because of Jesus, I don’t believe that we can change the world by it. The level of hatred toward God, Faith and Christianity that is on display these days are just trully horrible. However, I do believe that we can impact lives we don’t even know about. And yes, we can’t even imagine the ripple effects. Maybe that’s what Paul meant when he said that one sow but another reaps the harvest. I just want to be a tool in Jesus’ hand to be used however He sees it fit. If it’s a smile, or encouragement to a troubled soul, compression for someone in need, a listening ear and heart, or sometimes just a hug as a token of caring. The Lord works in mysterious ways….
I love that, Gaby! It means you take the time to listen and that is truly a gift. Thanks so much for sharing your stories of kindness. I agree, that we may never know this side of heaven the impact kindness may have on someone’s life. Blessings, my friend!
Thank you Deb, a great message.
Thanks for visiting, Angela! God bless you!