8.11.2013

Love... [part II]



Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
[1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NKJV]

Kind. The word "kind" has long been associated in my mind with words like "nice", "neat", "great", "thing", and "stuff". Its meaning is broad and general. Because of that, I tend to shy away from using it often, thinking I can find a word that fits better with what I'm trying to say.

Yet, God's Word tells me that love is kind. But what does that mean?

kind - of a friendly, generous, warm-hearted nature; showing sympathy or understanding; charitable; humane, considerate; forbearing, tolerant; generous, liberal; agreeable, beneficial.

In the original Greek, kind has a connotation of showing oneself to be mild, to use kindness.

Perhaps Paul was inspired to use the word kind precisely because it is so general. There is so much that falls under the what could be considered "kind". Love, in its words, deeds, and thoughts, should be all of those qualities listed above.

Well, nuts. This is another area (along with being patient) where I fail so often. My nature is not to be kind - it is to be self-serving and self-protecting. To cherish my needs and conveniences over those of the people around me.

Ways I've been convicted of NOT being kind recently:
-Being snappy in my words & tone of voice when the girls don't follow through with my requests, or when their childish tendencies cause me inconvenience. Or when I've convinced myself that I haven't had enough coffee to drink, as if that justifies it.
-Showing little genuine compassion toward my husband or daughters when they get hurt, feel sick, etc. I tend to treat my care of them as a duty, and not a chance to minister to them in their discomfort.
-When I am serving dinner, and take the largest or tastiest-looking helping for myself instead of giving it away. Or, when I make a meal that only -I- like without giving consideration to other members of my family who may not be as adventurous as I am.
-My first though when I am verbally run down by another is one of vengeance, or self-defense & justification, rather than trying to understand why they are frustrated with me. Often, there's a legitimate reason for them to be upset with my actions.
-If I claim to NEED "me time" and take it when there are clearly things I could and should be doing for my family.
-When I see someone in the store or out and about who could obviously use a hand and I choose to pass by because I have things I "need" to do.
-I tend to half-listen to Will and the girls when my laptop is open to (Facebook, Pinterest, Email, etc). Rather than shut the silly thing and choose to be considerate to the four people who should be the recipients of most of my energy and care, I get distracted by life online.

When I am not showing kindness (in my actions, words, or thoughts), I am not showing love the way Jesus would. I must choose to put off selfishness and put on kindness, moment by moment!

Here are some verses I try to recall when I know I am not being kind, or when I need to choose kindness:
Psalm 103:1-5
Proverbs 19:22
Proverbs 31:26
Isaiah 54:4-8
Joel 2:12-13
Jonah 4:2
Galatians 6:1-3
Colossians 3:12-14
Titus 3:3-7
2 Peter 1:5-9

Which verses inspire you to choose kindness?

Learning to love like Jesus,
for His glory!
~Lisha

I'm sharing this post over at The Better MomA Proverbs 31 WifeGrowing Home, Teaching What is GoodThe Time-Warp Wife, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots at Home, Adorned From Above, & Hope in Every Season!

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2 comments:

  1. Thanks for this info and reminders about Biblical kindness. I like the Greek flavor of mildness. There are very few unkind things that can be done mildly. I pray that I will be kinder this week from reading this reminder.
    Bless you.

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  2. love this one too, ending with a challenge, but I like all the verses! Thanks for encouragment too.
    Sarah From www.thehopejourney.wordpress.com

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