Kindness is an unconditional virtue. One can always choose to express it. We do not have to approve of someone's behavior to show it. We do not have to support foolish behavior, but we can still be kind. Do not place limits on kindness. What is needed is wisdom. Wisdom can shape our kindness so that it is truly beneficial.
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” Prov. 27.6 “Conversations Within” ts 3/23/2021
Photo: Payne's Prairie Preserve, FL
Sometimes we fail to show love and compassion to others because we are caught up with our own struggles and pain. It is the testimony of many that one of the best ways we can forget our own problems is to bring refreshment to others in theirs.
“...the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus “Conversations Within” ts 3/22/2021
Photo: Jax Beach, FL
We practice compassion not just by feeling it, but by showing it. We may feel another's pain, yet do nothing to alleviate it. True compassion doesn’t just appreciate the burden another is carrying, it moves us to come alongside and help shoulder it.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“ Conversations Within” ts 3/21/2021
Photo: Redwoods, CA
To live compassionately, we must not only see the pain others are going through, we must often overlook the pain that their pain is causing us. This means many times that we must nurture a forgiving attitude. One way to do this is to remember our own need of forgiveness and that God gives it to us every day. Beyond forgiveness, we can then express compassion with a kindness that seeks to alleviate another’s pain.
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." — Eph. 4:32“Conversations Within” ts 3/20/2021
Photo: Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest, NC
When love motivates us to adapt and be flexible, it is not simply seeking what is good for oneself, but looking out for another’s benefit as well. Instead of an insisting and demanding spirit, love looks for ways to serve others. "The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds persuasiveness to his lips."
“Love... does not insist on its own way.” 1Cor.13 “Conversations Within” ts 3/19/2021
Photo: Hannah Park, Jacksonville, FL
A flexible perspective is not only wise, but enables one to see more of the whole picture. Seeing the whole picture requires that we look at something from a different point of view. Consider the simple admonishment, “Thou shalt not steal.” To the person stealing the commandment is telling them they should stop doing what they are doing. To a person not stealing the commandment is telling them they are doing right and they should keep doing what they are doing. Perspective matters.
“The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” Prov.18.17 “Conversations Within” ts 3/18/2021
Photo: Leadville, CO
Being flexible, especially with our schedule, is one way we can position ourselves to serve others. We should never be so rigid with our management of time that we have no time to give to others. Our activities should complement our relationships, not compete with them.
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” 1Cor.9.19 “Conversations Within” ts 3/17/2021
Photo: Mono Lake, CA
Learning to adapt is knowing the difference in conforming to negatives and being transformed by positives. Often we conform, by giving in to the same ole same oles of wrong thinking, wrong attitudes and wrong actions. Positive change comes when we decisively choose to change our way of responding to all the influences of life. Make sure when you adapt, you are not conforming to old negative patterns but transforming to new positive ones.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Rom.12.1 “Conversations Within” ts 3/16/2021
Photo: Payne's Prairie Preserve
We can be firmly committed to our goals and destination, and at the same time, flexible in what route we take to reach them. It is important to know where you are going, and just as important to be flexible getting there. Wisdom teaches us when to be flexible and when not to be.
“In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Phil.4.12 “Conversations Within” ts 3/15/2021
Photo: Atlantic dunes
“Never give up” is a wise enough encouragement. An “I can do this” attitude enables us to figure it out. If we come up to a wall, we can climb over it, dig under it, or go around it. We can train ourselves to improvise. We can teach our heart to adapt. We can nurture a “keep at it till its done” attitude. When fighting for something of value there is value when we simply keep on fighting.
"Fight the good fight!" 1Tim.6.12 “Conversations Within” ts 3/14/2021
Tioga Pass, CA
The fact that you are struggling may very well mean you are going in the right direction and making some needed changes in life. But there is an axiom that applies. “Learn to work smarter, not just harder.” There is no doubt that struggle is necessary in many things, but this does not mean that we cannot look for a better and more efficient approach working through it.
“A wise person’s heart directs them toward the right…” Ecc.10.2 “Conversations Within” ts 3/13/2021
Photo: Pisgah National Forest, NC
We could also say the struggle is a "necessary" part of the story. Positive change is often uphill, upstream, and we must climb up, or wade against the current if we want to cooperate with inner transformation. If we are not struggling in one fashion or another, we are probably not maturing. Struggle is a good sign that God is “working in us to will and do His good pleasure.”
“I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 1Cor.12.10 “Conversations Within” ts 3/10/2021
Photo: Ginny Springs, FL
God the Father has certainly woven many things into the fabric of Creation, and pain is one of them. It is good to keep in mind that its rewards are another. Pain has its place and many things require our participation if we are to experience what comes with it. The struggle of relationships, of parenting, and just living a full life is a beautiful mix of pain and pleasure. To embrace one, is to embrace the other.
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” Ps.126.5 “Conversations Within” ts 3/9/2021
Photo: Crescent City, CA
If you have ever bit your tongue you know what I mean when I say you never want to do that again. Funny thing is that I have done it many times. Pain in its various forms is a precious gift to help us avoid unwholesome and unhealthy decisions. Pain is a life coach that encourages us to make life changes. Learn from pain, doing so can teach us how we can avoid meeting it so often.
“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…” 2 Cor.4.17 “Conversations Within” ts 3/9/2021
Most of my struggles are not with circumstances but with character. The struggle is real. I am grateful for it simply because it is clear evidence of Christ living in me. Ever since He entered my life there is a tenacious desire working in me to be a better person. It all boils down to making choices every day that promote only health and goodness. One would wonder why this can be so difficult. We seem to go kicking and screaming as He moves us away from our unhealthy attitudes and actions.
“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8.13 “Conversations Within” ts 3/8/2021
Photo: Point Lobos, Big Sur, CA
Our strongest desire at any given moment always wins out. This is why it is so important to filter our desires through what is good, right and true. The trick is making sure that our desire for physical, mental, and spiritual health runs ahead of all other desires. We often give in to desires that take it away from us.
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Prov.4.23 “Conversations Within” ts 3/6/2021
Photo: Somewhere on the AT in GA
The counsel of Scripture is simple, but it often addresses complex problems. Humans tend to complicate the hell out of trying to apply Heavenly wisdom. It is not God’s wisdom, but our acceptance of it that is often hard. I think it wise to realize that there is a learning curve to living in the simplicity of God’s counsel. Praise be, like others graces, doing so eventually becomes second, nature.
“The flesh wars against the spirit and the Spirit against the flesh so you cannot do the things you want.” Gal. 5 “Conversations Within” ts 3/5/2021
Photo: Grand Teton National Park WY
Caution is usually a good thing except when it is not. There are times when caution can keep us from acting on something that demands action. Even so, we can proceed cautiously. Wisdom offers guidance on when it is best to wait, and when it is best to go for it, and God is more than willing to grant it to all who ask.
“One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.” Prov.14.16 “Conversations Within” ts 3/4/2021
Photo: Yellowstone National Park, WY
Common sense is supposed to be common. Of course this does not mean that everyone has it, or will use it. It also doesn’t mean that the "common" sense shared by most is "good" sense. Good sense is more desirable than plain ole common sense, because good sense results in goodness, but history has shown that the common sense shared by a majority is not always good.
“Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.” Prov.16.22 “Conversations Within” ts 3/2/2021
Photo: Big Sur, CA
There is great value in possessing a teachable spirit. Nurture one by truly listening to wisdom. Wisdom certainly comes from God, but He often shares it through others, and through simple experience. Listening can help us “learn and live” rather than its often painful opposite which is to “live and learn.” Be proactive in learning, and always be teachable.
“Get wisdom...Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.”Prov.4.5 “Conversations Within” ts 3/1/2021
Photo: Pony Express Trail, Montana
A friend once wrote that humans are innately judgmental just as we are innately curious. We naturally examine our surroundings in order to adapt to them. This natural kind of judgment can be beneficial, but when we use it to think we are better than someone, or they are less than us, we abuse it. Use good judgment but never arrogantly criticize and condemn. Discern the best path of loving, both yourself and others.
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/28/2021
Photo: Somewhere in Montana
“A healthy appraisal of our own faults should help silence our criticisms of another’s.” There is a simple and straightforward rule that will help us when we are tempted to judge someone. Don’t do it!
“Stop judging.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/25/2021
Photo: Rainy day in Arches National Park, UT
I remember as a budding Christian how I longed for some sensory expression in God’s interactions with me. I wanted Him to appear to me. After a while I realized that He was encouraging me to nurture a relationship with Him as He is, not as I wanted Him to be. God is a spirit and any relationship with Him is necessarily a spiritual one. He invites us to interact with Him with the eyes of faith. This in no way means that our relationship with Him is any less real than our relationship with anyone, even with our own soul.
“God is a spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/24/2021
(Photo: Black Balsam Knob, NC)
My frustrations melt when I realize that what just happened to me, was allowed to happen to me by a Father who loves me, and who desires only goodness for my life. There is a subtle difference when we accept a slap in the face given to us by life, and say, “It is what it is,” and when we say, “It is what God has allowed, and His grace is sufficient for it.”
“All things are yours...the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ belongs to God.” 1Cor.3.21 Conversations Within” ts 2/23/2021
(Photo: Jacksonville, FL)
Perspective matters. It has been said that “when we change our perspective we change our life.” This is true on so many levels. I believe that God wants us to see ourselves from His perspective, not just as we are, but as He is changing us to be.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Rom.12.1 Conversations Within” ts 2/22/2021
(Photo: Callaway Gardens, GA)
The first recorded sermon of Jesus began with the words “Blessed are.” Another good way to translate these words would be, “Happy are.” There is little doubt that one intention that God has toward the people made in His image is simple happiness. One way that we can look at all the commands in Scripture is simply to see them, not in some military or police fashion, but as the loving invitation of a Father to get the most out of what He has prepared for us.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 2/21/2021
Everyday I find in myself the need to refocus and remind myself to live wholeheartedly and embrace right now. This means so many wonderful things. It may be a moment of overwhelming gratitude, or to truly see and to love the person in front of me, or to appreciate the great privilege of serving and being useful to someone. This refocusing has also caused me to slow down, lift up my eyes and take in the beauty around me in the delights of adoration.
“Awake, my soul!” Ps.58 Conversations Within” ts 2/20/2021
(Photo: Lake Tenaya, Yosemite National Park, CA)
