Being kind frees the mind

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor. Ephesians 4:32, 5:1-2
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 12:19

Have you ever wondered how your heart can be free from the darkness all around and the sin that brings us down? I am constantly trying to reflect on how my heart can be free and clear even though everything else wants to drag me down like gravity. For some reason, many people do not want to be happy, nor do they want you to be happy. What a battle we face each day to live the Christian life among the backdrop of a devilish and sensual culture! Are you tired of sinking in the quicksand and ready to be lifted up to receive the spiritual blessings that we already have in Christ Jesus.

On April 6th of 2003, I can remember hearing a sermon as a lost young man that has continued to echo in my heart. The Holy Spirit at that time but can recall the minister’s sermon on loving your enemies had not awakened me to new life. I had always tried to love other people, but it was often just a show because there were cursing and bitterness in my heart. How could I truly love someone the way that I was supposed to? A few hours later in the middle of the night, the Lord saved me by His grace as He whispered sweet peace to my heart. Even still, the message on April 6th rings loud and clear. Am I still supposed to love my enemies and bless them that persecute, misunderstand, and just don't care about me? Of course, this is what being a Christian is all about. We can't love our enemies in our own strength, but with God's love flowing through us, we can.

Have you been struggling with a co-worker, supposedly good friend, teacher, straying husband or wife, or rebellious children? There is hope. Don't allow yourself to be caught behind the bars of your own stubbornness and self-inflating pride. Be free from the guilt, pain and shame of your thoughts by killing them with kindness. One of my great friends, who was buried just this week, lived by this motto. I heard a story about him and his wife that has really touched my heart. It was a typical night and the room was getting a little stuffy. The wife decided to open the window and get a little breeze and smell the fresh rain outside. It was about midnight and as she tried to open the window, it fell out into the front yard. The husband only made a sigh, got out of bed, dressed, and went outside to see the damage. The window lay in the front yard. He picked it up and placed it on the porch to measure its size. He then went downstairs and cut a piece of plywood to place over the open window. The fresh air was definitely flowing in at this point along with the rain. He picked up his hammer and nails and covered the window. Without very much said, he went back to his bedroom and asked his wife to go to bed. He told her that he would order the window the next day. What could have been a disastrous brawl of words was suppressed by a simple act of kindness in the middle of the night. Sometimes, your closest friends can be your greatest enemies, but you must treat them with kindness in order to keep your heart free. As the wife went to bed and still reminisces over the incident, she only loves him more...

Another incident happened yesterday while visiting a local businessman. I went into his office and he seemed to be gleaming. This was the first time that I met him and I knew something was different about him. Isn't it great when you don't have to ask someone if they are a Christian, but it is evident by the way that they live and the countenance of their face? His office was a wreck, because the computer guy had come in and told him that he would not hook up his computer, because he just didn't like him. He tried to ask him why but got the same response, "I just don't like you!" My friend asked him if he had done anything to upset him or cause him not to like him. He said, "No, I just don't like you." Instead of getting mad as many Christian's might do, he decided to leave the computer in the room and use the old one until someone could help him. Sometimes, people are just not going to like you because you are shining the light of God all around you. People enjoy the comfort zone of their stubbornness and rebellion against God. It's like Otis on the Andy Griffith Show. He liked to be drunk and sleep behind the bars. If that's what people want, then let them have it. All you and I can do is be a light and witness of the goodness, wholeness and beauty of God. There is no way that we can do this by killing people with words that are like daggers and bullets. Bite the bullet and be kind as the above scriptures tell us!!!

Showing kindness and sowing it everywhere you go will be convicting to some and comforting to others. As Christian’s, we should not fit in with this world. Our homeland is in heaven, where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is; and we are looking forward to his return from there (Phil 3:20 TLB). Our conduct on a daily basis should reflect the place from which our hearts dwell. Rise above every situation by looking for ways to show kindness especially to those who don’t deserve it, and your life will begin to flow with grace and truth. It will leave a sweet aroma in the air as your sacrifice is burnt on the altar with the passionate fire of God’s love!