Kindness ~ Doing Something

So we saw how patience is learning to do nothing when you are mistreated by others.  The next step after you have learned patience is to be kind.

Kindness always make me think of the new Cinderella movie.  That movie displays very well what it truly means to be kind.  I have to say, I was really impressed with the message since it's a Disney movie.

Okay, back to kindness.  First off, what is kindness.  Kindness is having a sincere desire for the well-being of others.  In other words, it's our awareness of the needs of others around us.  But, unlike patience, which does nothing, kindness plans to act.  Kindness looks at a situation and asks questions like; "Who needs love right now?" "How can I help this person?"  "Who can I say something nice to today?"

So we see that kindness is a state of the mind.  It is a matter of the heart.  It's our attitude toward how we view others.

You may be wondering how you can have this kind of heart attitude.  Here are some tips to help you cultivate kindness in your life.

Caring for others and paying attention to the needs of those around you will grow your love for others.  As will praying for others. Praying for others is such an amazing thing to do.  It is through praying for others that God turns your focus on yourself into concern for others.  

Thinking is also a part of kindness.  When you start to care about others you will start thinking of different ways you can help them. Purpose to think about others as you go about your day.

Another important aspect of kindness is noticing.  To often we choose to 'not see' the needs of those around us. But God has given us wonderful observing skills and God wants us to take note of others around us and of their needs.  

By caring for, thinking of, and noticing the needs of the people around us we are creating for ourselves a new attitude.  One that is full of kindness.  And you are then ready for the next step.

Are you beginning to see how patience and kindness fit together like a glove?  First we must have patience not to respond in a mean way and by not responding we are given the chance to take to heart and notice the needs of the person who has offended us.  Next is what I like to call kindness in action ~ goodness.  And that is the next fruit of the spirit.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Philippians 2:3-4

Note: I'm sorry if this post seems short or rushed, or if there are any typo's I failed to notice. This week I'm going to be very, very, busy and I really wanted to post something before the busyness starts.  So I wrote this post really quick.