Powerful Reasons Why It Is Good for You to Be Kind
Shh. I have a secret to tell you. Not something I’m proud of but if I’m being honest…
Some days I just don’t feel like being kind.
Some days I just want to focus on myself and give in to impatience, frustration, and annoyance.
There are the days I don’t feel great or I’m anxious about a problem or potential problem. And well, there are even days when I want to succumb to being self-indulgent and self-absorbed.
I know. Remember I said … it’s not something I’m proud of.
The truth is it’s hard to set aside my feelings and emotions in a constant effort to remain encouraging, and kind … and it’s especially hard with people who are selfish, cranky, and irritable.
Am I right?!
Go ahead, you can admit it! You’re safe here!
The thing is, it may be that being kind “matters” most … when it is hardest to give.
I know … that is not what you wanted right now. Not really what I was looking for either.
But whether you and I like it or not…
Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:12–13
The word “must” doesn’t give us other options, does it?
But there is good news!
God put a blessing in being kind.
Because kindness not only benefits the one who receives it … kindness benefits the one who gives it.
Here are some truths I’ve learned…
Powerful Reasons Why It Is Good for You to Be Kind
Be Kind – It makes you happier.
Did you know being kind boosts your serotonin and releases endorphins?
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which contributes to a sense of well-being and feelings of happiness. Endorphins are “chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress.”
Kind words are like honey … sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 16:24
Be Kind – It helps you notice people over things.
Life feels like it’s moving so fast and distractions are everywhere. I’ll admit, I can get so lost in the doing that I miss wonderful moments with the people I care about.
Reminding myself to be kind, helps me see people and look for opportunities to help. And seeing and caring for the people God puts around me is a beautiful way to love like Jesus.
Kindness is a way I can give from the outpour of grace I have received.
Grace has to be the loveliest word in the English language. It embodies almost every attractive quality we hope to find in others. Grace is a gift of the humble to the humiliated. Grace acknowledges the ugliness of sin by choosing to see beyond it. Grace accepts a person as someone worthy of kindness despite whatever grime or hard-shell casing keeps him or her separated from the rest of the world. Grace is a gift of tender mercy when it makes the least sense.
Charles Swindoll
Be Kind – It helps cure loneliness.
I know of so many people who are lonely “in real life” even though they have hundreds of “friends” on social media. I shared 5 Psalms to Pray that will Help When Feel Lonely just the other day.
I’m learning it’s impossible for me to feel lonely when I’m doing something nice for someone else.
“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
Mother Teresa
Be Kind – It reduces stress and anxiety.
People who make kindness a priority consistently have 23% less cortisol, which is the stress hormone.
A group of highly anxious individuals performed at least six acts
University of British Columbia Study – RandomActsofKindness.org
of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant
increase in positive moods, relationship satisfaction and a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals.
Random acts of kindness can bring joy to both the giver and the receiver. Try to do at least one each day this week.
Vee Freir, Learn To Stress Less
Be Kind – It can lead to deeper conversations.
Kindness speaks with gentleness and respect. Kindness listens.
A gentle caring word and listening ear can open up a conversation and help us do a better job of understanding each other.
But deeper conversations take time – so an important part of being kind is slowing down long enough care about the hurting person behind the person in front of you.
Sometimes the person who is hardest to be kind to is the person who needs it most. You never know how much the person beside you is suffering.
“Speak in such a way as others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way as others love to speak to you.” ~Author Unknown
Be Kind – It might become contagious.
Don’t you love pay-it-forward stories?
One kind act inspires another and then another. I love how often people will pay an act of kindness forward. It’s possible you and I can start an endless chain reaction of kindness that goes on and on without even realizing it.
“A purposeful act or extension of kindness to another is never wasted, for it always resides in the hearts of all involved in a chain of love.”
Molly Friedenfeld
You and I have a choice…
I’ll admit, it’s easy for me to get self-absorbed and selfish. It’s even easier for me to be responsive and treat people the way I feel they’ve treated me.
That’s not what Jesus said, He gave us The Golden Rule…
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
Matthew 7:12
The thing is…
People are watching us. You and I are representing Christ Jesus wherever we go and those watching us are making decisions about Him based on what they see in us.
Friends, family, acquaintances, or even strangers . . . everyone benefits when you and I choose kindness.
So, with God’s help, I’m making it a priority to be kind. I want to practice it until it becomes a habit.
And the crazy blessing given to us by our awesome loving God is when you and I are kind to others it is actually good for us. How cool is that?!
One final quote with a few ideas to inspire us…
“One of the most spiritual things you can do is embrace your humanity. Connect with those around you today. Say, “I love you”, “I’m sorry”, “I appreciate you”, “I’m proud of you”…whatever you’re feeling. Send random texts, write a cute note, embrace your truth and share it…cause a smile today for someone else…and give plenty of hugs.”
Steve Maraboli
This is awesome Monday morning encouragement. I needed this word because I have definitely found myself in the former category as well. Thank you Deb for this motivation this morning.
Aw thanks, Brittany! I need the reminder often! Thanks so much for being such a great encourager! God bless you!
Some days you just want to give back to people just what they have given to you even find satisfaction in doing so. We need to be reminded that’s not God’s way and neither should it be our way as sons and daughters of God. Our own flesh is sometimes our greatest enemy. Thank you for your articles and you caringness. May God Bless you and yours. D. B.
Thank you for your encouragement, Danny! It is a process of giving ourselves over to the Lord each and every day! Maybe even multiple times each day. But with His help … we can! God bless you!
Thanks for reposting this blog. It is a necessary one. I have a heart shaped note posted on my computer monitor which reads, “Gracious”. It reminds me to lace my responses in grace.
I love that, Calvonia! What a great reminder! Blessings!
Be kind —it can be contagious !!!
Oh yes to this !
My Deb you are the most kindest soul I have ever met ! I want to be more kind in the days to come
Love you
You’re so sweet! You haven’t seen me impatient and irritable! 🙂 Love you, Girlfriend!
To be kind to another costs us nothing, yet gives us (and them) everything. Wonderful encouragement as I’m helping out with our VBS this week and have LOTS of children in need of kindness.
Blessings, Deb!
Have fun with the kiddos this week, Martha! I’m sure they love having you there. God bless!
I’m finding that maintaining a kind attitude is hardest with my parents who are now aging and failing. It’s easy to be kind to strangers even the irritating ones, as I know I can walk away. Feeling sad as I’m aware that I could have been kinder to my mother this morning during a stressful event.
Thank you, Deb. Love reading everything you write!
Oh, Deb, it sounds like you’re in a difficult and ongoing situation. And I agree, it can be harder to be kind when there is baggage brought to the moment. I’m praying for you and asking God to be with you and give you encouragement and strength. Thanks so much for your very kind encouragement. God bless you!
This is a lesson I want to share with my grandchildren! And it’s a lesson we all can learn from.
Thank you !
Thank you, Christine! I’m so glad it blessed you and what a blessing to be able to share the Lord’s truths with your grandchildren. We are blessed to do the same. God bless you!
Yes, on some days, it is hard to be kind. Some people are hard to be kind to, actually, but kindness is so important for both the person displaying kindness and the person who receives it. Thank you for outlining reasons to be kind even when it is hard.
It is hard, Tina. Especially when we so badly want to respond in kind to unkind words and actions. I have learned that I never feel better when I do. God’s way is the only one that gives me peace when I’m going through one of those difficult personal situations. Thanks for stopping and for taking the time to join the conversation. God bless you!
Praise the Lord. I’m so much blessed by your articles and I’m deeply grateful looking forward to get even more Blessings.
Thank you so much, Frederike! Your kind encouragement is a huge blessing. May the Lord be with you and bless you in the week ahead!