Kindness and Goodness are both components of the Fruit of the Spirit. They are so intertwined that I have chosen to address both in this weeks’ study. They are similar in nature and yet different in their biblical context. Goodness is very much about our character and our willingness to stand up for what is godly. Goodness to some extent is more about us then others; where as Kindness is all about others. Kindness is about our interaction and response to the needs of those to whom we come in contact. It is not about self at all.
“Good is the absence of defect or flaw, and the presence of complete wholesomeness”. Webster defines compassion as sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. In other words compassion is the motivator that leads us to Kindness that takes action. As we yield our will to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to develop the Fruit of Goodness in our lives we will become sensitive and compassionate towards the needs of others. The Fruit of Kindness will be a natural expression and outpouring into the lives of others.
Kindness asks questions such as:
How can I show God’s love to another today?
Who needs a word of encouragement today?
Who can I pray for today?
Lord would you show me who needs my help today?
Kindness say’s “here I am Lord, send me.”
Years ago I read a short story in Readers Digest about a fearful little boy being put to bed for the night.
“A mother was putting her two-year-old to bed and as she left the room he pleaded with her not to go. His mother tried to reassure the boy by telling him that God would be there with him all night. The boy replied, ‘But mommy right now I need God with skin on!’”
I will bet every one of us has experienced a time when we needed to have “God with skin on”. I know I sure have!!! Ever wonder what color God’s skin is? I can tell you… it is whatever color your skin is. God uses His people, His children to love others. God uses His people, His children to bring joy to others. God uses His people, His children to bring unity and peace to a divided and hurting world. God uses His people, His children to show patience towards one another and He uses people, His children to show Kindness to others, to be compassionate to another, to help one another, to encourage one another – to be God with skin on.
When the Fruit of Goodness has been activated in our lives, when Jesus’ character is so reflected in us, the Fruit of Kindness can’t help but overflow. People are attracted to those who exhibit the Fruit of Kindness. As Mark Twain once said "Kindness is the language the deaf can hear, the blind can see, and the dumb can understand." In other words, the language of Kindness is something that transcends all language barriers, and is something everyone can understand!
Your questions have been emailed.
Happy Studying
Be Encouraged, Sandra
Something important was revealed to me through the study so far. I'm prayin for God to reveal to me the difference between kindness and codependency. I'm spread so thin meeting needs and wants that people can & should take care of for themselves; doing things I shouldn't be doing. As a result, I've started to get uncharacteristically edgy and short tempered. My usual empathy and kindness feels dried up as my emotions have been used up. This tells me I'm working on my own power & wisdom rather than on His.
ReplyDeleteHelp me Lord to hear & follow your lead rather than rushing in to try & save the day on my own.
Though I have been the priest, Levite & Samaritan at different times in my life; I think that now I tend toward being the priest who's so busy that he can't be bothered. The way I will allow kindness to flow through me is to slow down and align myself with God's view as to what's important that I should make a priority in life
ReplyDeleteJulie
ReplyDeleteI so can relate to what you say. I am a person who too is always giving to others. How does one know when it is out of balance?
Sandra how do we all keep it in check? I know we need to abide but is there some other practical ways to know?
Maybe some of you other gals have some ideas. I do hope ya all will share as I really struggle with this.
If Kindness were a color it would be pink. Goodness would be white.
Hi Fruity
ReplyDeleteI am not sure I would say these are practical ways...but I believe you need to listen to that inner voice. When things are out of balance your body begins to tell you.... perhaps you are more fatigued then normal, you are getting ill more often, you just don't have the desire you used to. Or our behavior tells us, we more easily are irritated with others. Answering the phone is annoying, people begin to tire you and you want to hole up at home.
It is important to at the very least once a year, twice a year is better, and I would recommend once a quarter, to evaluate what it is you are involved in... what activities you and your family are doing .... are they still in line with what you believe God has called you too? If not begin to make changes.
And last but not least ask a good friend to help you.... to let you know if she or he sees behaviors or attitudes that signal you are stressing. To help you evaluate what you are doing and most importantly to pray with you regarding the direction God would have you go.
Something we did not talk about and perhaps should have is a balanced life has each of these components in it... it has a Spiritual component...spending time with God through prayer, with God in studying and reading His word and planning your day. It has an emotional component...that would be self awareness and relational... what are you doing for you, towards accomplishing a dream (you should be doing at least one thing) and planning time for relationships. There must always be some time for family and to further friendships outside your family and to make new friendships. And last there should be a physical component this is exercise, healthy eating, taking care of our bodies and of course plenty of play time!!!!
I hope this helps to get you started.
Be encouraged,
Sandra