Be Kind
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Joseph, Genesis 50:20-21)
Joseph. What an amazing story (Genesis 37-50). The events that groomed him. The people that mocked him. The God who delivered him. His story journeys from the pit—to prison—to the palace.
When reading his story, “kindness” is not the first word that comes to mind. Although it is mentioned three times. The first, “When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him” (Genesis 37:4). Second, later, when Joseph is in prison (Genesis 40) and the cupbearer is released. He says to him, “But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison.” (v14). Noting, the cupbearer did mention Joe—but two YEARS later. Two more years of prison.
The third is mentioned above, when the brothers are concerned now that Jacob (their father) has passed away, Joseph would retaliate due to their mistreatment of him (see Genesis 37). At the end of the narrative of Joseph’s story, he states, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:20-21).
Do we posture ourselves for kindness?
Posture (besides the way a person holds their body—sitting or standing) is a particular way of dealing with something or someone with our approach AND attitude. God has been speaking to me about my posture this last year or two.
What is our response when we too have been mistreated? When others won’t speak kindly or what is promised is either delayed or denied. Or like Joseph, others’ choices set the trajectory of events for our life. Do we purposely “throw caution to the wind and give’m what they deserve!” or do we pause (or a season of pausing) and consider our response posture.
Kindness.
Kindness is defined as moral excellence, but more literally (biblically) as useful, profitable. Which can be expressed in multiple ways. Here’s a modern example of one: A man is walking on a sidewalk beside a busy street. He hears footsteps fast approaching behind him. As he glances over his shoulder, he sees a young boy running and begins to veer off and into traffic. As the boy passes him, he quickly steps out GRABS the boy, twirling him back safely onto the sidewalk. In the moment, the boy may think he wasn’t being treated kindly with such an intense grab. But was the man indeed being kind? Yes! He was useful in saving the boy’s life. Being useful is being kind. Kindness is a gift.
Tie this in with what Joe said to his brothers. “YOU intended to harm me—God intended it all for good.” Everything that happened to Joseph, his response is NOTABLE! Was his intent and speech useful at that moment with his brothers? Yes! Was he retaliating by being mean? No, his approach and attitude were kind. He was leaning in (his response was) with kindness. It de-escalated, re-assured and encouraged. Useful for sure!
Kindness. Paul wrote, “The fruit (or evidence) of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, emphasis mine). May we lean in being mindful of how we approach a situation, (lean into the qualities Holy Spirit has deposited in us) aware of how we posture our heart in our attitude—Let our response be kind EVEN IF others treat us differently. It may take some dying to self, but God is working to make us holy not happy. Joseph shows us, wrapped up with what God intends—be kind.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).
Above is an excerpt of my recent teaching at the “Bloom” Women’s Conference, “Even if.”
Inspired Fountain 