How will you respond?

I can’t recall exactly where I heard this story, but it’s stayed with me ever since.

A man was working on a construction site in the heat of the Arizona summer. Suddenly, a nearby neighbor stormed into the yard where he was working. Frustrated and angry, the neighbor began cursing and criticizing everything about the project, from the noise to the process to how it was being handled.

The construction worker listened in silence, absorbing the verbal blows without interruption. When the neighbor finally ran out of steam, the worker gently said,
“Sounds like you’ve had a really tough day, haven’t you?”
The man’s demeanor instantly changed. His shoulders dropped, his expression softened, and he replied quietly,
“I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you.”

Kindness diffused his anger.

There are moments when everything in us wants to strike back. To match insult for insult. To defend, retaliate, or snap.

But that construction worker modeled something far more powerful — kindness shaped by Jesus.
“When they hurled their insults at him, He did not retaliate; when he suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.”
1 Peter 2:23

We all face moments where we’re misunderstood, misrepresented, or mistreated. But the heart of Jesus calls us to respond differently not with vengeance, but with grace.
With kindness.

Today, someone around you might be carrying a burden you can’t see. With God’s help, your gentle response could be the very thing that helps lighten it.

Reflection: Who is God calling you to show kindness to even if they don’t deserve it?

Verse of the Day: Romans 12:21. Do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good..

Song of the Day: Kindness by Chris Tomlin

~~God is on your side