So Many Choices Each Day
Every day we make choices: what to eat, where to go, and quite simply how to act. It is amazing when you think about it just how many decisions you make during one 24-hour period, but they can make or break you with each one.
About a year ago my husband and our two small children went to McDonald’s for lunch before a movie. While we were sitting there my sister called me with something important she needed to talk about. I was on the phone for a few minutes when I heard a lady start yelling at me:
“How about getting off the phone and take care of your kids!”
Mind you, my kids are not quiet but this was a time when they were actually being pleasant! I turned around and asked her politely, “What?” because I honestly thought I might have misunderstood her. She, along with three older women, kept yelling at me. I could not believe what I was hearing but I had this incredible urge to leave the establishment and say nothing to them.
I believe that was God guiding me to make the right decision and choose kindness.
Now believe me, I was fuming mad once I got out to the car! I almost got out of my car to go inside and really let them know what I thought but we chose to leave. After we got home, my heart was heavy. Not only that I was yelled at, but that a complete stranger thought it was ok to treat someone like that.
Choosing Kindness isn’t Easy
From that point on, I remember thinking how much harder it is to choose kindness rather than choosing to say whatever is on your mind. It is easy to let people know what you think; it takes strength and character to assess the situation and choose kindness. Does this mean you let people run over you? Absolutely not! You can always show kindness even when you are confronting someone who is harming you.
Jesus has numerous examples of dealing with difficult people and tough situations. One that sticks out is in John 8 when the Pharisees brought a woman who had committed adultery to Jesus and told him that the law said she should be stoned. Instead of being furious for the acts they were committing, singling this woman out, he started writing in the sand, stood up, and asked:
“Let anyone who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Of course no one could because all have sinned. Jesus told her he didn’t condemn her either. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
I love how Jesus does everything in love and kindness. He had every right to be mad and let the Pharisees know exactly what he thought of their actions but he chose strength in being silent and making a statement in love. I am thankful that I have the Word to lean on rather than the world to show me how to be and how to act. Praise God for that!
A few things that help me remember to always choose kindness:
In any situation, please choose kindness.
It takes more strength to do and say what is right rather than wrong.
Live in God’s Word and not of this world.
- The Blessing of Bible Class! - October 12, 2018
- Romans 12:12 {My Favorite Verse} - May 9, 2018
- The Submissive Wife - January 17, 2018
