Kindness is an essential ingredient in healthy relationships and favorable outcomes Kindness requires inward resolve. It does not come from what others do, think, or say. It comes from who we are and who we want to be.
Kindness is one of the Fruits of the Spirit in the book of Galatians. The Scriptures, both Old and New testament mention kind, kindness, or kindly over 100 times. If you add lovingkindness it’s even more. This is an important attribute of a person of faith. Although none of us are kind all the time, we should strive to make kindness our overall disposition.
Kindness listens to another’s point of view without being ill tempered when discussing hot topics like religion, politics, or money. Kindness accepts and respects differences. Kindness is silent about the shortcomings of others when we find out something unflattering about them. It shields and protects others. Kindness does not marginalize the poor. Kindness does not unfairly judge the rich. We must be kind to our parents and honor them. They deserve it. We must be kind to our husband or wife, loving and forgiving them often. We must be kind to our children. It takes time for them to appreciate who we are to them. And we must be kind to our colleagues even when they make more work for us. Kindness is not harsh and demanding with those who provide services that make our life easier. Speak kindly to them as if they were friends, even when the service is not as good as expected. The kind heart is kind, even when people fall short.