Day Three: Kindness (P3)

1) What Will I Do With God's Kindness?

Learning about God's kindness is only the beginning.

Kindness becomes meaningful when it moves from something we understand into something we practice.

Ephesians 4:32 says:

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Kindness is a choice we make in ordinary moments.

It is how we respond when someone frustrates us.

It is how we speak when we disagree.

It is how we treat someone who cannot give us anything in return.

It is how we respond when we feel rejected.

It is how we treat people who are struggling.

It is how we respond when we have every reason to be harsh.

The goal is not simply to feel kind.

The goal is to practice kindness.

Reflect:

• Where is God asking me to practice kindness?

• Who may need kindness from me this week?

• What situation is most likely to test my kindness?

2) This Week, Practice Kindness in Five Ways

1. RELEASE OFFENSE

Identify one offense that you are still carrying.

Bring it honestly before God.

You do not have to pretend that it did not hurt.

You do not have to deny what happened.

You do not have to restore a relationship that is unhealthy.

But you can choose to release the bitterness.

Pray:

“God, I give this offense to You. Help me release the anger, resentment, and desire to remain controlled by what happened.”

Forgiveness may be a process.

You may have to surrender the same hurt more than once.

That does not mean you have failed.

It means you are continuing to choose freedom.

2. PRACTICE SOFT SPEECH

This week, intentionally pay attention to your tone.

Before responding during a difficult conversation, pause.

Ask:

“Can I say this truthfully without being harsh?”

You do not have to soften the truth until it is meaningless.

You can be clear.

You can be honest.

You can establish a boundary.

But you can do it with grace.

Practice:

Before one difficult conversation this week, pray:

“Lord, let my words be truthful, tender, and honoring.”

3. SHOW TENDERNESS

Look for someone who may feel overlooked, rejected, or discouraged.

Offer encouragement.

Check on them.

Listen.

Give them your time.

Tell them something you appreciate about them.

Sometimes a small act of kindness can communicate something powerful:

“You are seen.”

“You matter.”

“You are not alone.”

Practice:

Intentionally encourage one person who may need kindness this week.

4. CORRECT OR DISAGREE WITH KINDNESS

This is your specific challenge for the week.

Choose one situation where you need to correct, disagree, or communicate something difficult.

Before speaking, pause.

Ask:

“How can I communicate both truth and tenderness?”

Then practice it.

You can say:

“I understand where you're coming from, but I see it differently.”

“I want to talk about something that concerned me.”

“I disagree, but I want to understand your perspective.”

“That behavior was not okay, and I want to talk about why.”

Kindness does not remove truth.

Kindness changes the way truth is delivered.

5. DO GOOD WITHOUT EXPECTING SOMETHING IN RETURN

Galatians 6:10 says:

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone...”

Choose one intentional act of kindness this week without expecting recognition.

Help someone.

Give encouragement.

Serve someone.

Listen.

Pray for someone.

Give your time.

Offer support.

Do something good simply because it reflects God's heart.

Kindness does not always need an audience.

Sometimes the most beautiful kindness is the kindness nobody sees.

Reflection After Practice:

• What happened when I intentionally chose tenderness?

• Was it difficult to release offense?

• How did it feel to speak truth without harshness?

• Did I notice a difference in the way the other person responded?

• What did I learn about myself?

• What did I learn about God's kindness?

• Where do I still need God to soften my heart?

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Your kindness toward me.

Thank You for being tender with me when I am hurting, patient with me when I am growing, and gracious with me when I fail.

Lord, help me take the kindness You have shown me and allow it to flow through my life.

Help me release offense.

Help me release bitterness.

Help me release the need to retaliate.

Give me a tender heart.

Give me soft speech.

Help me communicate truth with grace.

Help me correct without humiliating.

Help me disagree without becoming harsh.

Help me establish boundaries without losing compassion.

When rejection triggers old wounds, remind me of who I am in You.

When I feel the urge to become defensive, help me pause.

When I want to respond harshly, give me gentle words.

When I encounter someone who is hurting, help me notice them.

When I have an opportunity to do good, help me act.

Lord, make me a vessel of Your kindness.

Let my words carry grace.

Let my actions communicate compassion.

Let my heart remain tender.

May people experience something of Your love through the way I treat them.

Help me remember that I do not have to become what wounded me.

I can choose kindness because You have first been kind to me.

Amen.

Declare Over Yourself

I am a vessel of God's kindness.

I am chosen and loved by God.

I am not defined by rejection.

I release bitterness.

I release offense.

I choose tenderness.

I choose compassion.

I choose forgiveness.

I choose soft speech.

My words will be seasoned with grace.

I can speak truth without being harsh.

I can disagree without disrespect.

I can correct with love.

I can establish boundaries with kindness.

I will not become what wounded me.

Another person's behavior does not determine my character.

I will look for opportunities to do good.

I will notice people who are hurting.

I will offer kindness without requiring anything in return.

I will reflect the tender heart of Christ.

God's kindness toward me gives me the strength to be kind toward others.

I choose kindness over bitterness.

I choose tenderness over harshness.

I choose grace over offense.

I choose compassion over retaliation.

I will walk in the kindness of God.

Additional Scriptures on Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 — Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.

Galatians 5:22–23 — Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 — Love is patient, kind, humble, and not resentful.

Colossians 3:12–13 — Put on kindness, compassion, humility, patience, and forgiveness.

Micah 6:8 — Love kindness and walk humbly with God.

Proverbs 21:21 — Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Galatians 6:10 — Do good to everyone whenever you have the opportunity.

Galatians 6:2 — Bear one another's burdens.

Galatians 6:9 — Do not grow weary in doing good.

Romans 12:10 — Love one another and outdo one another in showing honor.

1 Peter 3:8–9 — Have a tender heart and do not repay evil for evil.

Luke 6:27–31 — Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and treat others as you would want to be treated.

Matthew 5:7 — Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

1 John 3:17 — Do not close your heart to someone in need.

Matthew 25:34–36 — Jesus identifies feeding, welcoming, clothing, visiting, and caring for others as expressions of serving Him.

Zechariah 7:9–10 — Show kindness and mercy to one another and do not oppress the vulnerable.

Leviticus 19:34 — Love and welcome the stranger.

Proverbs 15:1 — A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Romans 2:4 — God's kindness leads us toward repentance.

Titus 3:4–5 — God's goodness and loving kindness were demonstrated through salvation.

Psalm 23:2–3 — God tenderly provides, restores, and leads His people.

Isaiah 40:11 — God gathers His people close and gently leads them.