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Do What You Can


              Never miss a chance to be kind to others.  Kindness is good for the soul.  In these days kindness is so unexpected that it makes a huge impact.  My recent emphasis into kindness developed after I had been cruelly treated.  After I found myself so dumbfounded by why someone would be so cruel, I started focusing on kindness.  Rather than be brought down by the unreasonable reality, I fought off my natural tendency to obsess over my wound by being kind to others.  I was surprised by what happened.  By not missing a chance to be kind, I distracted myself from my pain and I built up my own soul more than any kindness portrayed.
              No wonder God’s Word is so full of admonitions for us to be kind to one another.  He loves us so much He doesn’t want us to miss out on anything that will soothe our souls while living in a fallen world. Be careful; it only works if you are kind without expecting your kindness to be recognized, returned or responded to in any way.  As I have been meditating further on kindness, I realize that this must give God positive energy every day.  He is so incredibly kind to me.  He gives me sleep.  He gives me air to breathe.  He delights me with the variety and intricacies found in nature.  Even a blade of grass displays His attention to detail and the wonder of His love for all that He has made.  He has kindly given me life here on earth and given His presence and strength to live it whether I am aware of Him or not.  1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love is patient first and then love is kind.  Perhaps it was written in that order because you need to be patient to be kind. 
              Colossians 3:12 tells us to clothe ourselves with kindness.  “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  God is so kind to us because of His great compassion for us.  When others treat us cruelly without reason, it is usually because of some unresolved conflict that is going on inside of them.  When we let their actions stir up anger, bitterness or revenge, we lose that Godlike quality of compassion that leads to kindness.  God has every reason to be full of wrath towards each one of us every day.  However, He does not treat us as our sins deserve.  Rather, He is amazingly kind and compassionate.  He allows us to go through hard times, but He is ever kind in never leaving us or forsaking us in the midst of our suffering, whether it is the consequence of our own sin or just a reality of living in a sin-filled world.
              Romans 12:18 tells us: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  One way to carry out this focus is to be kind.  When young women are talking about the man they want to marry, I always tell them to marry someone who is kind.  Kindness is essential to a happy marriage. 
              Why not try a little kindness today?  Look for ways you can be kind to others and see how it transforms your own soul.

Copyright © 2018.  Deborah R. Newman teatimeforyoursoul.com  All Rights Reserved.

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