"Be Kind or Be Quiet"

April 01, 2021 | By Chuck

“If you can’t figure out how to be kind, figure out how to be quiet”. This simple teaching has circulated on social media and was brought to my attention by a dear brother. It is a simple teaching and it’s true. Kindness is needed in our world today and kindness is contagious. If it’s kind words spoken or random acts of kindness, it’s very contagious. I’ve pulled up to the drive-thru window to pay and told the car in front paid for my order. Of course, that act of kindness encouraged and motivated me to keep the kindness going by paying for the order behind me.
Kindness in word or deed doesn’t require an incredible amount of effort or time. The most simplistic acts of kindness go a long way. Think about the difference you can make in someone’s day or week by a kind word or gesture. Kindness is an easy way to be a difference maker. By the way, we Christians are supposed to be all about kindness. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal.5:22-23). Since “kindness” is a character quality of the fruit of the Spirit, it’s imperative that it be present in every Christians’ life.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph.4:32). Let’s make it a point to be kind every day or learn to keep quiet.