Make an extra effort to be kind this week

I was lying in bed the other night, just starting to drift off to sleep, when my wife said, “Oh I wish someone would get my lip balm from the bathroom. I’ve got such dry lips.” As there were only two people in the room at the time, I guessed she was hinting that I get up and get it for her. I didn’t move, and selfishly stayed right where I was. I just couldn’t rouse myself to this husbandly act of kindness.

Can you relate to feeling like this at work? Amidst the busyness of your job, do you find it hard to be kind to your colleagues? It’s especially challenging to be kind to those who are difficult to get along with. It’s often easier just to ignore them and focus on your own tasks.

But by being kind to everyone around us—even those we don’t like—we are able to stand out as Christians and witness to the kindness of our God.

Stop and consider: Do you make an effort to be kind to your colleagues?

The power to be kind

How is it possible to be kind given our tendency towards selfish indifference? Well, we need to remember how kind God has been to us in Jesus, even when we didn’t deserve it. This is the motivation and power for us to be kind to others, as the following verses remind us:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience… - Col 3:12 - NIV

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit… - Titus 3:4-5, NIV

The Titus 3 passage also reminds us that God has renewed us through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us to bear the fruit of kindness (see also Galatians 5:22).

Be on the lookout

We also need to be on the lookout for opportunities to be kind—for the chance to give an encouraging word, to help someone with their job (even though you are busy), to do a coffee run, to bring in some home cooking, to tidy up after someone without being asked…

We definitely need God’s help to go the extra mile in these ways.

Action: This week, look out for at least two opportunities to be kind to those around you.

Pray: Thank God that he’s been so kind to you in Jesus. Ask him to help you be kind to those around you, at home and at work, even when you don’t feel like it.