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Kindness Is An Intentional Choice (Practical Prescription 4.0 #5)

October 27, 2024

Kindness Is An Intentional Choice (Practical Prescription 4.0 #5) | Week Five | Dr. Larry Baucom, Dr. Troy Doucet

In “Practical Rx 4.0 #5 “Kindness is an Intentional Choice”, Dr. Troy Doucet and Dr. Larry Baucom discuss the transformative power of kindness as part of Suncoast’s “Practical Prescriptions” series. They review prior topics, emphasizing that each fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and now kindness—reflects aspects of God’s character, offering a framework for Christians to grow spiritually.

Dr. Doucet begins by noting that kindness is often misinterpreted as a gentle feeling, when it is, in fact, a deliberate action rooted in compassion. The discussion centers on three key points:

  1. Kindness as an Intentional Choice NOT just an Inward Voice: Unlike mere thoughts of goodwill, true kindness demands intentional acts that mirror God’s love. Dr. Doucet references Romans 2:4 to illustrate that God’s kindness is purposeful and transformative. Dr. Baucom shares examples of impactful moments where kindness led to life change.

  2. Kindness is Compassionate Presence, Not Merely Casual Politeness: The pastors distinguish deep kindness from casual politeness. True kindness, they argue, is about being fully present and engaged, providing empathy and understanding rather than superficial gestures. Henri Nouwen’s perspective on kindness is quoted:

True kindness & compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into places of pain, to share in another’s brokenness, fear, and anguish. The full immersion into the condition of being human. Christ-like kindness isn’t found in polite posturing, but in entering the reality of another person’s life– not by solving problems, but by simply being there- being with them!” to highlight the necessity of entering another’s pain and brokenness.

  1. Kindness is the Compass God Uses to Lead Us to Transformation: The pastors describe kindness as a guiding force, akin to a compass, drawing people toward God’s love rather than judgment. Through a story of a compassionate principal, Dr. Doucet illustrates how kindness, like Jesus’ teachings, leads people back to their true selves and the understanding that they are cherished by God.

In conclusion, they stress that kindness, as modeled by God, transcends mere politeness; it is a powerful, intentional act that guides individuals toward a life transformed by love and compassion. The Prescription reads, “I will show kindness today.”