Biblical Answer

Can a single act of kindness change everything when we're feeling tired?

Kindness is a powerful decision that can be made even when we're not feeling kind. It's a decision to leverage our strength on behalf of another, putting our resources on loan to someone who lacks them. When we're kind, we put ourselves at someone's disposal, and kindness is powerful because it's a means to benefit another person, not ourselves. As the Bible says, "Love is patient. Love is kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4). Kindness is perhaps the most important decision we can make, especially when we're feeling tired, because it can change everything.

When we choose to be kind, even when we don't feel like it, we're not just doing it for the other person; we're also doing it for ourselves. We're developing the habit of opting for kindness in the face of weakness, and that habit can have a profound impact on our lives. As the Bible says, "For as the physical body is suited to the soul, so too the outward act is suited to the inward disposition" (Matthew 5:28). When we choose kindness, we're choosing to align our actions with our values, and that can bring us joy and fulfillment, even when we're feeling tired.

In fact, research has shown that practicing kindness can actually increase our energy levels and improve our well-being. A study on gratitude and subjective well-being found that people who practiced gratitude on a daily basis felt better about their lives and had more energy. Another study on kindness found that people who engaged in acts of kindness had higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. So, when we're feeling tired, a single act of kindness can indeed change everything, not just for the person we're helping, but also for ourselves. By choosing kindness, we're choosing to align our actions with our values, and that can bring us joy, fulfillment, and even more energy.