1 Peter 3:8-12
"Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each
other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted,
and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when
people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has
called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and
your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who
do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil.”
I was reading the above passage one morning and was reminded of what Lysa Terkeurst shared in her book: Unglued: Our ability to influence someone’s life often
determine by our reaction during certain moments.
It was "the kindness of God that lead us to repentance” Romans 2:4.
People are watching, when we react kindly, they are more likely to respond positively.
How do we learn to speak words of kindness?
Some suggestion were taken from the book Love as a Way of Life by Gary Chapman:
- Become aware of the impact of our words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21
- Listen to the words of other. Many times people are surprised at the large number of kind acts they observe in a short amount of time. When we become aware of those acts and learn to express appreciation for them, our desire to show kindness grows as well. Once we desire to become a kind person, it becomes easier to recognize opportunities for kindness throughout the day at home, in the workplace, in the grocery store, and anywhere else we encounter people.
- Listen to yourself speaking. Replace unwholesome words with wholesome words. “When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger {that it may give grace to them that hear}." Ephesians 4:29
- Value every person you meet. If you have in mind how important each person is, you are far more likely to speak words of kindness. “ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
- "Finally, sympathize with each other.." 1 Peter 3:8. Growing up, my father often lashed out in anger. I forgave him years ago but still remember the sting of being yelled at. I keep reminding myself this whenever my kids doesn't listen or miss behaved: to threat them the way I want my parents threat me. After all, don't children, young and old, want the same thing:
- To be understood and accepted
- To be taught clearly and patiently
- To be told, "I love you" and "I am proud of you."
- To be protected from negative influences
- To be prayed for
- To be showered with hugs and kisses
- To spend time talking, listening, reading, playing, traveling, or doing things together
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32
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