Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 NIV
When It’s Easier to Be Mean, Choose Kindness
Life doesn’t always go as planned. It can throw unexpected challenges our way, testing our patience and faith. But even in the frustration, God calls us to respond with kindness and compassion. Let me share a story where choosing kindness over anger made all the difference.
The Tax Season Struggle
April 16th—just two days before the tax deadline. My husband and I were in a bind, still wrestling with why the IRS kept rejecting our tax return. After weeks of back-and-forth with our tax agent, the issue remained unresolved. That afternoon, my husband made another trip to the tax office, spending two hours there, only to come home empty-handed.
Frustrated and exhausted, we discovered the problem: a single error on our return—a Social Security number with the last two digits flipped. A simple mistake, missed despite numerous reviews.
Panic hit. What if someone had stolen an identity? What would this mean for our family? As my thoughts spiraled, my husband walked in with a stack of papers, explaining we’d need to file by mail—a slower, inconvenient option.
I had a choice: react in anger or pause and pray.
A Moment to Reflect
The Holy Spirit nudged me to take a breath. With the tax office closed for the evening, there was nothing to do but wait until morning. I felt God’s invitation to pray about my response.
The next morning, I sat down and asked God to guide my words and actions. As I prayed, my heart softened, and I felt a deep conviction: my response to this situation could either glorify God or reflect poorly on Him.
How could I, as one of God’s chosen, demonstrate kindness and grace?
Clothed in Kindness
Colossians 3:12-14 reminds us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. It’s not always easy. Our human nature leans toward frustration and self-righteousness, but as followers of Christ, we’re called to reflect His love.
When I arrived at the tax office, I took 10 minutes in my car to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to guide my words and help me hold my tongue.
Walking in, I was greeted by an office assistant who assured me the issue could be fixed. While waiting, I saw our tax agent, visibly frazzled. I smiled and told her she was doing a great job, that mistakes happen, and it would all work out. Her shoulders relaxed, and she grabbed my hand, pulling me into a hug.
A simple act of grace—one that mirrored the abundant grace Jesus extends to us every single day.
Choosing Grace Over Judgment
So often, we dismiss our own mistakes while quickly casting judgment on others. Yet Jesus consistently models a life of compassion and patience. He doesn’t just love us when we get it right; He loves us despite our flaws.
When we choose to respond with grace, we reflect His love to others. It’s not just about receiving His kindness but pouring it out on those around us.
The Countercultural Choice
We live in a world that thrives on pride, anger, and self-centeredness. The culture says it’s okay to lash out, shame others, and demand your way. But as believers, we are called to be set apart.
Choosing kindness in the face of frustration isn’t weakness—it’s a testament to the power of Christ in us. When we practice humility, patience, and compassion, we point others to Him.
Be Kind Today
Friend, I know it’s not always easy. Life throws curveballs, and our emotions can get the best of us. But the next time frustration rises, take a moment to pause and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your words and actions.
Let’s choose to live a life that reflects the love of Jesus. Today, clothe yourself in kindness, grace, and patience. Show the world what it means to follow Him.
What opportunities will you have today to choose kindness? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear!
Stay Wildly Faithful,
xoxo, Erin
Join the Wildly Faithful Women Facebook Community here.
This post was updated November 20th, 2024.
Discover more from Wildly Faithful Women
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.