Add a Little Kindness

Read: Jude 17-23


And of some have compassion, making a difference.         Jude 22


     Young men are famous, or perhaps infamous, for making fun of people. Not all young men are alike, but they all make fun of each other; they make fun of those with physical disabilities; and they make fun of just about everyone in between. It is not uncommon to see a physically deformed person walk past a group of young people, only to be humiliated by the stifled snickers and cutting eyes of the members of that group. They each seem to know what the other is thinking, and raucous laughter ensues as soon as that person is out of earshot – or sometimes even before. They forget that God created them with the normal life they have, and God allowed the other to be born with a deformity. God did not create them better people because they are whole; He simply created them more capable of helping those who cannot help themselves.

     The reason many young people make fun of others is because they lack the confidence in who they are themselves. They think it will make them feel better, stronger, or smarter if they make fun of someone who is not as smart or talented as they are. The opposite is actually true, though. When you spend your energy trying to make others comfortable instead of tearing them down, the satisfaction doubles back on the one who gives it. There is a certain gratification that can only be found in actually making others feel good.  History does not fondly remember the unkind. No one thinks kindly of Nero, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, or Saddam Hussein. History despises such uncompassionate men. On the other hand, history looks adoringly upon such people as George Washington, Douglas MacArthur, Mother Theresa, Florence Nightingale, and thousands more who were known for their compassion and kindness. The Bible is also filled with many examples of Jesus Christ showing his compassion toward the miserable multitudes.

     The simple solution to having more compassion and loving others better is to have a greater love for God. The more we love God and the more His heart is shared with ours, the more He teaches us to have compassion on others. The more we love God, the more we will love people the way He does. Instead of making fun of someone less fortunate, be a rock they can run to when they really need a friend. Be the friend you would like others to be to you, and know the joy that comes from bringing happiness to others.

Quote of the day: “Never take someone’s feelings for granted because you never know how much courage that they took to show it to you.”