Kindness Through the Lens of Scripture

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:32 (Kindness)

Honestly, until a few weeks ago, I didn’t even know World Kindness Day existed! At first, I wondered why we needed a specific day for this. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, having a dedicated day serves not just as a reminder to be kind for one day in November, but to embrace kindness whenever the opportunity arises and to also spread it as well.

In light of World Kindness Day 2024, I turned to scripture to reflect on why it is so important. Several passages highlight kindness as a fundamental aspect of God’s nature (Titus 3:4-7; Ephesians 2:4-7; Ephesians 4:32). Just as God shows us kindness through forgiveness and meeting us at our point of need, we’re encouraged to extend that same warmth to others.

Responding to Loneliness with Kindness

A few months ago, my pastor shared a sermon about kindness in the context of what he called “the loneliness epidemic.” Many of us find ourselves surrounded by people yet still feeling isolated as if no one truly knows us. This isn’t just a phenomenon in the world; it’s also present in the church, where different cliques form and people hesitate to open up or be authentic with one another.

Week after week, we’d show up, clap during praise, and sit quietly through the sermon, but something was missing: genuine fellowship and a stronger sense of community.

To shake things up, my pastor recently started giving us time before the sermon to greet someone new and encouraged us to stay after service to chat and connect. I’ll admit, I initially rolled my eyes—after all, I was guilty of rushing to my seat or making a quick exit. It felt inconvenient and uncomfortable, especially for an introvert like me.

But then I saw the smiles and heard the laughter that erupted during those moments. I quickly changed my perspective. By embracing what felt inconvenient, we created opportunities to see others and to brighten the day of someone who might be feeling lonely or overwhelmed. It was a real-time demonstration of kindness.

Reflecting God’s Kindness in Our Actions

Each of us can be kind, and as Christians, we have a special responsibility to show that kindness. God’s kindness is one of the main reasons we have been saved and rescued from the grip of sin, allowing us to enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ. So this World Kindness Day, I’m challenging myself to step out of my comfort zone.

I hope you’ll join me in this challenge! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Reach out to a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while. Start with a simple text acknowledging that it’s been a while to break the ice, then follow up with a call, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
• Identify a colleague, classmate, or coworker you haven’t talked to yet. Strike up a conversation, maybe over lunch or coffee, to learn more about them.
• Send a token of care and support. If you know someone going through a tough time—like those impacted by recent hurricanes—consider doing more than just sending a text saying you’re praying for them. How about sending an Uber Eats gift card, delivering groceries, or offering gas money?

For more inspiration on living out kindness based on biblical truth, check out our other posts. Let’s make kindness a priority together!

Post: Keys to Living out World Kindness Day as Christians