1 Corinthians 13:1 *...Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance*"( TPT)
LOVE IS GENTLE & KIND
I read about someone who dropped a stone and an egg from a height. The stone hit the ground hard and said "I’m strong. Nothing can break me." The egg hit the ground gently and said "I’m fragile. Handle me with care."
Later, a child needed to build something. He threw the stone away because it was too hard and hurt his hands. But he picked up the egg, handled it gently, and used it to bake bread that fed the whole house. The stone was strong, but the egg was useful.
That reflects how some of us treat people. We are "stone" at home and even to those around us. There are husbands who don't play with their wives. When they honk the horn of their vehicle, their children run instead of rushing into their embrace.
Some people just believe that harshness is the way to control or lead people. They break people with words and wonder why they don’t come close to us. Love is an egg. It speaks softly even when correcting. Love touches wounds without pressing harder.
*Proverbs 15:1* says, *"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger*".
To be kind is to be gracious, beneficial while gentleness is to be meek, not harsh not crushing. Kindness is love in action. Gentleness is love in attitude.
*Matthew 11:28-29* says, *"Come to me... for I am *gentle* and lowly in heart*". Jesus is gentle.
*Ephesians 4:32* says, *"Be *kind* to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another...*"
You must be gentle in tone while correcting your spouse, colleagues at work&those around you. Never use the truth as a weapon to hurt people. The bible enjoined that we speak the truth in love (Eph4:15). More of what I see today in the body of Christ is people who choose to correct and rebuke harshly instead of doing it in love. They speak as though they have achieved the perfection we all seek.
Even those who fall into sin, the bible enjoined that we restore them gently(Gal 6:1). This is where I think most of us err with those who fall into sin. We use a holier-than-thou attitude to discipline them and talk harshly to them. We isolate them.That is not love. We cannot use bitterness to achieve restoration.
Be kind to people. Small things like calling or texting to check on people will go a long way. Kindness isn't about giving alone. Holding hands to pray with those facing tough times is an act of kindness.
Father, teach me to love like you do.