Be kind and compassionate to one another.
—Ephesians 4:32
Kindness begins with right thinking.
The sleazy mindset of vicious thinking is sordidly displayed on tabloid covers at the grocery checkout. Refuse to sink into scandal-sheet thinking. “In your hearts do not think evil of each other” (Zech. 7:10).
Right thinking produces right speaking.
Solomon praised the words of a worthy woman: “her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says” (Prov. 31:26 TLB).
“A harsh word stirs up anger” and “a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Prov. 15:1, 4). A kind word does the opposite.
“Wherever there is a human being,” wrote Seneca, “there is an opportunity for kindness.”
People may forget what you say, but they
will never forget how you made them feel.