“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,
but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” Proverbs 14:31 NIV
“Contempt is the weapon of the weak and a defense against one’s own despised and unwanted feelings.” – Alice Duer Miller.
We all have judged. We all have been judged. It’s elevating ourselves at someone’s expense and drips with contempt. Sarcasm is another sign of contempt. Someone with contempt always believes they are superior, smarter or better than the person they find contemptuous. I’m amazed at how much contempt is in the news with no answers and no kindness except blame with more contempt! People eat it up and the ratings prove this.
Do we have contempt for ourselves? If we have contempt for ourselves you can bet we have contempt for others. Time to check that nasty voice in our heads. That voice is self-loathing or contempt! Let your Father show you a much better voice and focus. Again, the Psalms and the New Testament prove your unending value, like Light of the World, Salt of the Earth, You are worth more than birds…
We also have a tool—kindness. And it Honors the Father. It costs nothing. Easy? Not always. We will have many times in our lives when we don’t feel kind and don’t want to be kind even to ourselves. That’s short-term thinking. But if we do it anyway, life becomes much more peaceful inside and out. And it honors the Father.
When I have a difficult person in my life, we all do, they are my lesson in kindness. I know what kindness means to me but what does it mean to a difficult person? I am not talking about a toxic or abusive person because, “As far as it depends on YOU, be at peace with everyone.” But we are instructed to go another mile, give a cup of water, a compliment or an encouraging word. Little steps in kindness.
Musings
Judgment reeks with contempt. Envy is disguised as contempt. Even sarcasm has a stab of contempt. Loathing of any kind is contemptuous. In all of the New Testament, we are instructed to encourage one another and build each other up. We need to do this for ourselves too. Kindness honors the Father, the person we are kind to, and ourselves.
Prayer
Dear Father,
No matter what is in our lives and hearts we can always be kind. We may feel empty, sad, tired or hypocritical at times, but we’re not. It’s another Part of Your Wonderful Plan here and in Heaven. Kindness humbles us too because it’s not easy to do when we are scared, sad, envious or busy, but You’re there to help. It’s a simple act and blessing even a little child can learn. Thank you.
Amen.
Prayers and Musings of a Black Sheep 