Choose to respond with kindness- Lenten Reflections Day 5

In a world where frustration and anger are often the easy responses, choosing to respond with kindness can transform our relationships and bring peace to our hearts.

The other day, I was at a coffee shop with a friend, and like always, she placed her order with the barista. For some reason, this barista was in a really bad mood. She was rude to my friend, messed up our order and seemed annoyed when my friend politely asked her to fix it.

I honestly thought my friend would snap back, as she usually doesn’t let poor behaviour slide. But instead, she just smiled, stayed calm and said “No worries, I hope you have a better day!”

When I asked why she didn’t say anything back, she explained that she wasn’t going to let the barista’s bad attitude control her mood or her day. “I just didn’t want to add to the negativity. It’s so not worth it” she said.

Her response left me thinking.

Why was she able to stay so calm while I, on the other hand, would have probably felt frustrated? It became clear to me that she had made a conscious choice not to let the situation determine how she would react.

Her decision to stay kind, no matter what was happening around her, was a powerful reminder of how we have control over our responses.

The choice to respond with kindness

It’s easy to let tough situations or other people’s attitudes affect how we respond. When someone is rude, we often feel justified in reacting with frustration or anger. But what if, instead, we chose to remain calm and respond with kindness?

In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus teaches that anger in our hearts is just as harmful as actions like murder because it creates division. Jesus says “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”

Anger pushes people apart, making it harder to connect, forgive and heal. Jesus also reminds us to make peace with others before offering our worship to God, showing that how we treat others directly impacts our relationship with Him.

The impact of our reactions

Our reactions reveal a lot about what’s going on in our hearts.

When we let anger or frustration control us, it not only affects the situation but also hinders our own growth. On the other hand, when we choose to respond with kindness and patience, we not only calm the situation but also strengthen our character and build self-control.

By choosing kindness, we reflect God’s love, patience, and grace. Matthew 22:37-39 reminds us that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbours as ourselves.

If we hold onto anger or harbour ill feelings toward others, we’re not truly living out this love. Choosing kindness, even when it’s difficult, brings us closer to God and allows us to live out the love He shows us every day.

Our relationship with others affects our relationship with God

The way we interact with others impacts our relationship with God. Jesus makes it clear that loving our neighbours is essential to following Him.

When we choose to forgive, show patience and practice kindness, we align ourselves with God’s heart. But when we let anger, bitterness, or resentment rule our hearts, it creates a barrier in our relationship with Him.

Jesus says in Matthew 5:23-24 that before we offer our gifts at the altar, we should first reconcile with others. This shows just how closely our relationships with others are tied to our relationship with God.

If we’re not at peace with those around us, it affects our ability to worship and connect with Him.

The choice is yours

Seeing my friend handle the situation with such calmness reminded me that we have the power to choose how we respond to the world around us. We don’t have to let other people’s attitudes or difficult situations control us.

We can decide to stay kind, patient, and calm, no matter what’s happening around us. And in doing so, we not only diffuse tension but also grow in character and self-control.

It’s a powerful reminder that, in the end, we get to decide how we react. Our responses matter, not only for the peace we bring to the moment but also for our personal growth and our relationship with God.

So, next time you’re faced with a challenging situation, remember: the choice is yours. Choose to respond with kindness and you’ll find that it’s the best response for both your peace and your spiritual journey.

Found this post useful? You might like reading these too:

Lenten Reflection Day 1- How to deal with life’s struggles

Lenten Reflection Day 2- How to choose God’s way

Lenten Reflection Day 3-How to begin putting God first

Lenten Reflection Day 4- Don’t judge others

Pin and save this post

More from the blog