Love is kind (1cor. 13:4)

      “When we are kind to others, we look for ways to be kind, and when others are kind to us, we are motivated to pass that kindness on” (Gary Chapman, Love as a Way of Life).  Yes, indeed, we pay kindness forward.

Kindness is good for the body and soul

      In the same book, Pastor Chapman, enumerates a few benefits of being kind to the body and soul. We can make mention of two.  One, “acts of kindness release the body’s natural painkillers, the endorphins.” There is called a “helper’s high” that can even minimize the effects of disease, physical disorder, and reverse the feelings of depression.  Two, “acting kindly toward other people increases one’s self-worth, optimism, and overall satisfaction in life.”  So, while we pay it forward, it pays to be kind for our well-being.

Kindness glues people together

         In addition to the personal benefits, one unmistakable observation points to why the Word of God is replete with the encouragement to the community of believers to be kind one to another (e.g. Ephesians 4:32).  Of course, we cannot be kind one to another without the power behind it, which is love (1 Cor. 13:4).  Kindness grows out of love and it can be the most potent expression of that love.  God loves us and expresses that in compassion, mercy, sympathy, and help—all are words for kindness. Acts of kindness creates a sense of unity in a group. Foundations and non-profit organizations ordinarily outgrowth of the generous acts of individuals. The Sparrow Clubs USA for instance started when Michael Leeland could not afford $200,000 for a bone marrow transplant, and somebody provided the seed money. An unknown self-defacing picked-on kid in the same High School Michael attended gave twelve $5-dollar bills, his entire bank account. Daemon’s effort inspired his school, and countless other schools and individuals to give $227,000. The club was born and has helped four hundred seriously ill or disabled children. All because of one act of kindness.
 
         One other social impact of kindness is that it perpetuates the life a society or community in general. Unkindness creates conflicts and fosters division. That is why leaders of nations bank on acts of kindness as a matter of survival of the community.

 Kindness expresses our love towards each other

         Kindness as an expression of an authentic love (agape) makes the church a community.  By that we mean that through it there will be true caring. If we express love through benevolent acts among each other, the church becomes a loving and caring group of people. It also perpetuates the continuance of churches. Its uniting effect is essential to our survival and growth as a church. But it must start with each of us.  We said at the beginning, that when we have the attitude of kindness, we look for means to express it. And when others receive it from us, they are motivated to pass it around. It changes one’s attitude that is essential to the growth of a group.

       If being kind makes us all more motivated to work together as a unit for God, how then can we express it among us?  Jesus gives a lot of examples. He provides help to the helpless. He feeds the hungry. He heals the diseased and ill. He treated everybody with worth. He gave his life on our behalf.
 
       I think I agree with principle of kindness in this statement: “Kindness says “Good Morning” and then serves coffee.”  Just practice being the church that Jesus loves and shows kindness with.