Have you ever been extremely angry with someone?
Of course, you have. We all have.
Think about that moment. Imagine that feeling and notice what happens to your body? You might feel your heart beating rapidly. Or your muscles tensing. Or your neck hurting.
And then think about the aftermath. You probably felt tired and depressed. Even drained of energy.
Certainly not happy!
As we grow in our relationship with God, our attitudes change.
Rather than quickly jumping to anger or arrogance toward others, compassion comes out. We become kinder.
Happy people work at developing this kindness as an attitude.
Each of us is handed a set of circumstances when we are born. Some rich. Some poor. Some in free countries. Some in poor, oppressed countries.
It’s so easy to judge the opposite of who we are.
If we are born poor, we think that the rich are arrogant and entitled.
If we are born rich, we think that the poor are lazy – and entitled.
It’s so easy to judge others when we haven’t walked in their shoes.
Our heavenly father has love and compassion for all of us, and that’s what He wants from us.
Our true happiness comes from developing that compassion for others and the desire to see them overcome their issues.
Kindness and compassion are always looking for others to outgrow their shortcomings and live in God’s best.
We see that kindness in Paul. He had the habit of kindness.
At the beginning of each letter, Paul has a greeting, and every time it is a word of appreciation and encouragement.
Now in I Corinthians, Paul is about to do some scolding. They have been arguing about doctrine. And there is immorality being tolerated in the church.
But he doesn’t start with a blast.
Look at I Corinthians. Paul greets them with, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in all speech and all knowledge…”
Later in the letter he has to bring strong correction concerning some strife and some immorality, but he starts with great kindness.
You can see right away that he wants to help the people and not just to scold them.
This passage reminds me of Mary Kay Ash, who started Mary Kay Cosmetics. She spent a lot of time teaching those who worked with her about good management and work habits.
One of Mary Kay’s principles was to sandwich any correction between two compliments. She would look for something good to say to the person, and say it first.
Then she would bring the needed correction, and follow again with a positive comment.
The idea was not to break the people down, but to build them up.
Kindness was one of the keys to her great success.
Kindness is a key to your and my happiness.
So next time someone really angers you, pause and reflect. Don’t jump in with a blast of angry words. Instead, allow yourself to come under the Holy Spirit’s control and think of something good to say first.
Kindness is key for a good attitude and for living a happy life.
Do you want some guidance when it comes to living a happier life through kindness? I’m here to help! Schedule your FREE discovery call with me HERE!
