One of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is a kind word, spoken just when you need to hear it.
Look at the unbelieving world, and how often will you find kindness? Once in awhile, in a rare human being. More often, you'll experience criticism and condemnation.
One thing that should set Christians apart from unbelievers is a caring kindness. When you don't find kindness in the church, something has gone wrong. A critical spirit isn't from God and can't help the soul and body.
But we also can't expect the church always to agree with all we do. When we've fallen into wrongdoing, it is the responsibility of caring Christians to confront us lovingly and set us on the right track. When we respond to that correction, we can again feel the kindness of those who have loved us well enough to tell us we've been wrong. We might have missed it when we were doing wrong, but wise Christians will still have used it to draw us back to the right path.
People have a hard time hearing critics, unless they know care is also there. A combination of correction and kindness often makes the difference in whether or not those words are really heard. Honey spreads easily on the soul, while criticism feels like sand in an open wound.
Whether you need to encourage or redirect another Christian, are you speaking kind words? If so, their sweetness may bring just the healing God has in mind.
Lord, give me the right words to encourage a friend or even to redirect a friend around me. Show me what to say and give me the right words to show them I care. In Your Name, Amen.
Have a great day.
Blessings,
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