Intentional Kindness
By Whitney Hopler
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32 NIV
Our world often celebrates random acts of kindness, such as giving directions to a stranger who’s lost or buying a meal for a homeless person. There’s even a holiday called National Random Acts of Kindness Day here in the United States. We can do good and feel good through random acts of kindness. But kindness goes much deeper than occasional random acts.
Where I work at George Mason University, my colleagues and I lead an initiative called “Mason Chooses Kindness”. We educate students, employees, and other people in our community about why it’s important to choose kindness as a lifestyle. We celebrate a holiday we call “Mason Intentional Kindness Day” to spread awareness about being kind on purpose, every single day rather than just randomly. We publish resources about kindness to help people in our university put kindness into action regularly. We even nominate people to serve as “kindness ambassadors” to encourage serving others in our community on a regular basis.
Performing random acts of kindness is fine. But it’s much better to intentionally make kindness a part of our daily lives. While random acts of kindness can be impactful, intentionally choosing to be kind on a consistent basis can have a more profound and lasting effect on those around us.
God calls us to make kindness a lifestyle. Ephesians 4:32 NIV exhorts us to “be kind and compassionate to one another” and Galatians 5:22-23 NIV lists kindness among the “fruit of the Spirit” that the Holy Spirit wants to help us develop. Colossians 3:12 NIV urges us: “… as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Kindness is a vital way of showing people God’s love in action. Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV says: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Intentional kindness allows us to cultivate a spirit of compassion and empathy toward others. When we intentionally choose to be kind to others, we are able to see them as valuable and worthy of love and respect, regardless of their circumstances or background. Intentional kindness also creates opportunities for deeper and more meaningful connections with others. When we consistently show kindness to those around us, we open ourselves up to building relationships based on trust, respect, and mutual care. This can be especially powerful in times of difficulty or crisis when our acts of kindness can provide comfort and support to those who are struggling. Finally, intentional kindness can have a ripple effect on the world around us. When we choose to be kind to others, we inspire others to do the same. Our acts of kindness can create a chain reaction of positive change, spreading kindness and love throughout our communities and beyond.
Of course, practicing intentional kindness is not always easy. It requires a willingness to step outside of our comfort zones and to put the needs of others before our own. It can be challenging to put others before ourselves, especially when we’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed. However, God will help us make a conscious effort to be kind if we pray for his help to do so. As we choose kindness, more of God’s love will flow through our lives, making it easier for us to open our hearts on a regular basis. We can intentionally spread kindness anytime and anywhere. That will bring glory to God and reflect God’s love to a world in need.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you reflect on intentional kindness, consider these questions:
- Why do you think kindness should be a deliberate and consistent part of your life, rather than just random acts of kindness you pursue occasionally?
- How does your faith in God inspire you to be kind to others? What specific teachings or examples from the Bible encourage you to practice intentional kindness?
- Reflect on a time when someone showed intentional kindness to you. How did it make you feel? How did it impact your day or even your life?
- What are some specific ways you can be more intentional about making kindness a part of your daily life?
- What are some challenges that you sometimes face in practicing kindness? How can you overcome those challenges?
- How can your kindness make a positive difference in our world?
Further Reading:
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/coffeekai
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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