Indubitably, the little phrase, “be patient with all men” (1 Thessalonians 5:14c, NASB) was put in the Bible just for me! Even though my husband and I are approaching our 42^nd Wedding Anniversary, the Lord continues for the googol^th time, to point me in the direction I find hardest to climb: the pinnacle of patience and kindness!

And as I continue to fast from dairy and sugar while meditating on Scripture that reiterates the truth of a wise mind producing wise words and kind words are so very sweet, encouragement flows to find joy in my husband (Proverbs 16:23-24)! Yet, kind words are not what naturally flow from my heart. Nonetheless, they are exactly what is needed to be helpful and healthy. It is a documented fact that “anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down” and our words can be quite anxiety inducing (Proverbs 12:25). However, the Word of God adds the additional truth, “a good word makes [the heart] glad.” Our words are powerfully displayed as anxiety-laden or kindly motivating! The greatest gift we can give those under our roof is the “lifting up” of their spirits with our verbal encouragement.

“When she speaks her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”

Proverbs 31:26, NLT

This same verse in another translation puts it like this “the teaching of kindness is on her tongue” (NASB). What a picture for women! We have at our disposal the power to teach kindness with the attitude displayed when we speak. The attitude in our hearts is displayed on our faces and comes out through our words. Are we guilty of adding weight to the hearts and lives of those we are called to serve?

Love is kind; Love is PATIENT AND KIND!

1 Corinthians 13:4

The Bible commands kindness as well as patience (Ephesians 4:32), to build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), yet how often are we wounding our loved ones instead! Have you found yourself being kinder to a stranger or even an enemy than to those who live in your household? Without giving it a second thought, we can be destroying our own homes.

We are commanded to clothe ourselves with kindness.

Colossians 3:12

The clothing we choose to wear is usually the first thing people notice. Have they noticed if you have put on your spiritual clothes for the day? If the Holy Spirit is active in our lives, not only is kindness a part of what we “put on” but his reproducing work dictates the way we walk (Galatians 5:16, 22-23, 25). Kindness will be borne through our time in the Word, and then as we obey it, practice it, and pray fervently for God’s spirit to control our thoughts and actions (Ephesians 5:15-17; 6:17-18).

As I began this June fast, my focus was that of finding “joy” in my husband and being an encouragement to him. How ironic that this very month God moved him to a different office at work where I was able to assist and use my creative juices in making his new space a comfortable home away from home. I found joy in helping my husband and I know it was a huge relief to him not to carry the load alone (Galatians 6:2)!

Lord, open our eyes to any displeasing traits of impatience and unkindness where we are failing to be controlled by the Spirit and in fact quenching the Spirit’s efficacity and thereby parading a bad witness to a watching world. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9). In Jesus’ Holy name, Amen!