Positive Daily Inspiration – October 18, 2023 – The Fine Art of Being Kind and Gentle

a gift from www.PositiveChristianity.net

̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶ o O o ̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶̶

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23

We all pray for a kinder and gentler world – what we must spiritually realize is, it begins with us.

The ancient philosopher Philo of Alexandria (20 AD – 50 AD) said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” It seems some things in the human realm never change. Times have never been tougher than they are right now for a lot of people, and the “normal” tendency in tough times may be to withdraw from others because we are so consumed by our own fears, concerns and problems.

However, when we withdraw, that’s when a sense of isolation comes flooding in. And, yet, if we think about it, a simple act of kindness to another can instantly reconnect them to life in ways we may never know.

Just think about that. Your act of kindness, and gentleness, could be the bridge that another needs at that moment to get them through the day. And, irrespective of the simplicity of the act you may think you are extending to others, universally speaking, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness.

Every act of kindness and gentleness creates a ripple effect which reaches out far beyond your act. That’s the empowering thing about kindness – when we receive kindness we are naturally inspired to extend it to others.

Lena Horne said that she really didn’t become a success as a human being until she took time to be kinder to everyone. She said, “it was my responsibility to remove my own chip from my own shoulder. When I did, the world became a sweet place, and great success professional, and personal, followed.”

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
Proverbs 3:3

George H. W. Bush said, “America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the nation and gentler the face of the world.”

One of God’s purposes, and God’s Will for your life, is for you to become kinder in a godly way to everyone that is part of your world. This is not always easy, but it must be done. We must strive to do this, as much as we strive to learn a skill to become a success at a chosen profession. Kindness is the profession of our soul. Kindness is the soul’s path out of loneliness to a destination of happiness.

As it says in Philippians 4:5,” Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”

_______________________________________

POSITIVE DAILY PRAYER:

Dear kind God, there is no one gentler with us than You, especially when we deserve the opposite.

There is no one as welcoming of all people, as kind to the broken, or as understanding of the struggling as You.

You are gentle, yet persistent; gentle, yet firm; gentle, yet so very powerful.

You are the only physician I want working on my inner heart.

You never get nervous, flustered, agitated, or hurried.

You have a steady hand because of Your steady heart.

By the truth and power of the gospel, come and make of me a true gentle-human – someone whose gentleness is “evident to all,” and not just evident to the people who are so easy for me to be with.

Gentle me when I’m behind slow drivers who stay in the fast lane.

Gentle me when I face both fair and unfair criticism.

Gentle me when I think things that are obvious to me ought to be obvious to everybody else.

Gentle me when loud, boorish people invade “my” space – as though I have an inalienable right to an uninterrupted life.

Gentle me when I’m too tired to engage but the other person really needs me to listen.

Gentle me when I need a nap, but my children need to play.

Gentle me when several things break in the same week.

Gentle me when three stores “just ran out” of the one thing I need.

Gentle me when I try to assume control over things which are your domain.

In fact, gentle me when, dear God when I get tired of waiting for You.

Gentle me when friends keep making the same mistakes and foolish choices.

Gentle me when the restaurant sends me home with the wrong takeout order.

Gentle me when I start debating theology rather than loving the people who see things differently.

Gentle me when I cannot fix the very people You never gave me to fix.

Gentle me quick, whenever I begin to get defensive, irritated, anxious, impatient … and when I “cop” other attitudes that contradict Your grace and love.

Jesus, as this Scripture says, You are so near us in the gospel; in fact, You live in our hearts.

May every expression of Your nearness generate a much quicker change on my part.

Make me a gentle kind human living by the gospel, and for Your glory.

In Jesus Christ’s name … Amen

POSITIVE DAILY AFFIRMATION:

I take the time to be kind and nice to everyone that I come in contact with today.

POSITIVE DAILY QUOTE:

“Always be a little kinder than necessary.”
James M. Barrie

_____________________________________________

Support this on-going magnificent work of God.
Instant online, or recurring monthly giving:
https://positivechristianity.net/donation-tithe/

By mail: Positive Christianity, Box 7993, Woodlands, TX 77387

NEED PRAYER?
Click here https://positivechristianity.net/op-requests/
To submit an OPEN Prayer Request for ALL the WORLD to See.

Or you can submit a Confidential Positive Prayer Request.
https://positivechristianity.net/request-htm/
Positive Christianity will pray with you, daily, for an entire 2 months.

There Is Never a Charge for Prayer.

Encyclopedia of Prayers: https://positivechristianity.net/enc-prayers/

Television channels (Free Service):
Inspiration http://www.youtube.com/PositiveChristianity
Prayer http://www.youtube.com/prayerAmerica
Meditation http://www.youtube.com/PositiveChurch
ON OUR WEBSITE
www.PositiveChristianity.net

GOD BLESS YOU,
Christopher Ian Chenoweth and our prayer team.