Kill’em with kindness!

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve read through the book of James a dozen times before this verse hit me over the head.

“ .. For if you refuse to act kindly, you can hardly expect to be treated kindly. Kind mercy wins over harsh judgment every time.”

Ouch! Scenes from the past week, when I was not so kind, flooded my thoughts. There was the time I lost it with my children because they were dragging behind when I was in a hurry, the time I snapped at my husband because he needed my help & I was too tired to care, the time I used some ugly words about certain bad drivers on the road, and the time I was short with a customer service rep. at a retail store.

Ugh! I realize that these are things most of us do, but when I look at how I’ve acted, it stings, especially as I examine this scripture. Most of the time I justify my thoughts & actions because I tell myself the other person has done wrong against me. They might have inconvenienced, frustrated, or hurt me so I can say what I feel with out taking my emotions to God first.

Do you find yourself wanting others to suffer for what they’ve done to you? Consider Romans 2:4.

“God’s kindness leads you toward repentance”

We sinned and what did God do? He sent his own son to pay the price. For thousands of years he’s patiently given his people a chance to turn away from their selfish ways and back into the life he’s planned for them.

Ladies, we can makes all the excuses we want to but the bottom line is that in our daily life, we must chose to show mercy, kindness, forbearance, forgiveness, patience, tenderness, compassion. God will work the rest out for His and our good.

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”- Luke 6:36

If you’re struggling to show mercy, pray to ask God to change your heart. We all tend to be a little selfish. But, that can change. We can change. The Kingdom of God is full of changed lives so don’t believe the lie that says “I can’t help the way I am.” With God all things are possible!

~ Erin Ramsey

 Father, thank you for you kindness. I don’t deserve it. Please forgive me for being selfish and unkind. Change my heart and purify my mind to your will, please God. Amen

Additional Scriptures:

• Matthew 5:7
• Luke 6:36
• Luke 1:50
• Nehemiah 9:31
• 1 Peter 1:3