Our Kindness To Others Transforms Everyone
In years of research (especially for The Kindness Challenge) we’ve found that kindness, specifically, has a power to transform that is unparalleled in social science. The acts and attitudes of kindness change us …and then each of our relationships… and then everything around us.
Today, we may feel like we’re powerless in a swirling sea of conflict and chaos—but that is absolutely not true. Our kindness has the power to change the world we live in. This world that has become epically harsh, vastly more divided—yes, even this world, this culture can be transformed by our words and actions.
We are called to be those agents of change—which may first involve changing us.
Yes, speak truth as you believe you are called to speak. But only if you can speak truth in love. (See Ephesians 4:15.) Yes, participate in your civic duty of voting and encourage others to do the same. But when you come up against those who are harsh and cruel, as you surely will, never respond in kind. Absolutely stand up for those policies that you think are crucial. But have the humility to realize that wise and faithful people can legitimately disagree. The fact that your friend or family member doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean that they are suddenly foolish or complicit with the forces of darkness.
Through kindness and love—especially when provoked—we can be a potent presence that transforms everything around us.
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