Powerful Spiritual Disciplines

When we get down, we want a hand to help us up. We want someone to be kind to us. We want people to understand what we are going through and give us grace. That’s not always what happens, though. Sometimes when we really need a person to be kind to us, they aren’t. But Jesus always extends His kindess to us. There is never a day when He doesn’t feel like being kind.

Just like we need kindness on bad days, so does everyone around us. We never know what someone else is going through. It’s so important to be kind and compassionate to people no matter what. As followers of Jesus, we ought to treat others how we want to be treated, all the time (Matthew 7:12).

When we live like Jesus, when we show others love—even when they are not kind to us—we might be just the light they needed in their lives (Matthew 5:14-16). We might bring them a bit of hope or joy when they are feeling ready to call it quits. We might inspire someone to keep trying when they are feeling desperate and alone.

The reason we as Christians are able to love others is because God loves us. We have His love in us, and He empowers us through the Holy Spirit to love even when we don’t feel like it. And when we are kind and compassionate to everyone we meet, despite how they treat us, we can make a big impact.

Living kindly and giving grace to others is a great way to show people what Jesus is like. As we lean on the Holy Spirit, remembering the incredible kindness Jesus showed us on the cross, God empowers us to extend His grace to anyone we encounter, even on the worst days. • Bethany Acker

• When has someone given you grace when you were in a bad place?

• Ask God to help you notice opportunities to show His kindness and compassion.

• If you’re having a bad day (or a lot of bad days) and you need someone to listen with kindness but you aren’t sure who to talk to, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

Read Verses:

Psalm 119:9-16; Ephesians 6:10-17