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Christian Living kindness

The Emotional Gas Gauge

“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)

The blogsmith Jeffrey H. King recently wrote about the need for doing random acts of kindness in his post, Quote for 12/13/2020.

However, at least for him, it sounds more “plan”dom—as he watches for opportunities to say kind words to strangers who cross his path.

The efficient waitress, or the couple out in public with a well-behaved toddler (I know, it’s like seeing a unicorn)😉 are perfect candidates for what I shall henceforth refer to as that, “Mister King Thing.”

After all, says Jeffrey, “There’s no way to know how close someone is to the end of their rope.”

I often find myself writing comments on Jeffrey’s blog that are long enough to be posts in themselves. Sorry, brother. It’s a wonder you don’t edit my philosophical ramblings for length and clarity!

The morning of 12/13/20 was no exception, as, when I read the quote above, I immediately envisioned how convenient it would be if everyone had an emotional “gas gauge” pasted on their forehead. This would be super helpful for knowing who needs a kind word and who doesn’t.

However, Jeffrey and I both agreed–in our back and forth comments–that since the EGG (emotional gas gauge) hasn’t been invented yet, it’s really anyone’s guess how close someone is to running on fumes. Plus, who doesn’t appreciate a sincere compliment–even from a stranger?

Therefore, the “Mister King Thing” is ALWAYS the best practice.

Kindness Matters!

Here are a few of my favorite scriptures about the value of kindness:

“A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.” Proverbs 11:17 (NIV)

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV)

Do you have a favorite scripture about the importance of being kind, or maybe a story about how you’ve personally seen the power of kindness at work? Please share!

By davidsdailydose

I'm just a regular guy who was
tempted to lose all hope but did not. It was God who made the difference.

38 replies on “The Emotional Gas Gauge”

Thank you for this, Beth. For some reason your comment ended up in my spam folder. This has been happening occasionally. After seeing some really cool stories, I changed the post to invite either a scripture reference or a story about the power of kindness. Your Adi story is priceless! I appreciate your taking the time to read and comment! Blessings.

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Your comment about kindness having eternal impact brought to mind the time when Jesus spoke of welcoming people into heaven who had fed the hungry, visited the sick and ministered to people in prison. Christ told them they were doing it for Him too.

Thank you for revealing another angle to this story. Blessings.

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I like your definitions of the EGG and the “Mr King Thing.” I can relate to brother King’s method of seeking opportunities to be kind in daily life, I find it addictive even. Being kind to someone is quite cheap and easy, but the rewards are amazing…eternal even!

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Thank you for sharing yet another great scripture about the importance of being kind. I thought I knew a lot of them, but blogger friends (like you) keep sharing more!
Thank you for reading and commenting, 😇—I found the “Angel” emoji!

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“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Kindness is truly a virtue. And everyone needs a a bit of it everyday.
Thank you for the reminder!🙏

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Agreed!! Healing is an uncovering, a shedding of the layers the world puts upon us. Well said😊
I can relate to this a lot. Seeing the world through my inner child’s eyes has reopened so much of my ❤

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Thank you, Maria! Yes, if you want to see something genuine (positive or negative) just look for a young child. Their thoughts and feelings are right on the surface, and they haven’t yet learned to hide. I’m convinced that part of healing is coming back to that child-like state.
St. Francis is one of my favorites! He was actually from a quite wealthy family, but traded most worldly pleasures for the heavenly kind. “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace…”. I love that prayer of his!

Merry Christmas to you and yours , as well!🙏💕

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Kindness does matter! My youngest, when he was 7 or 8 said to me, Mommy, I love this time of year because everyone is nicer to each other”. I was pleasantly surprised at how insightful he always was and has grown up to be. We should always put kindness first throughout the whole year. One of my favorites is the prayer if St. Francis, he was a great example of compassion. Wishing you all the love, joy and peace of the season. Merry Christmas to you and yours David 😊🎄🎆❤💚

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If any good comes out of this pandemic, it may be that people are not taking people who work in service industries for granted. People are realizing those who work in “ordinary” jobs such as retail service, healthcare, cleaning and maintenance do important work. It is not glamorous, but it is needed.

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You make a good point. The events of 2020 have caused many to keep driving while dangerously close to empty. You’re also right about the importance of showing mercy to others; after all, we are capable of just about anything—good or bad—ourselves.

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“Human-ness.” Yes, I do believe you’ve made a new word out of an old one!

Your experience with the cashier is a great example of the power of thoughtful kindness. I should have suggested either sharing a scripture and/or a story! Thanks for your input. I’ve worked in the service industry—in sales, and ill treatment from customers was almost a given.

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With the year we have had, I suspect that the majority of us are running on fumes. Which also is making me see Jesus’ Grace and Mercy more each day. Everyday I’m more astounded that there’s as many alive on this planet as there is. It’s quite a miracle. He is giving numerous opportunities to each person to join His Kingdom, or for those that are already apart of it to praise and thank Him more. Brings to mind the scripture passage 2 Peter 3:9 about Jesus not wanting anyone to perish, but wanting everyone to come to repentance, so He is longsuffering and very patient.

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David, right off the top of my head I can’t think of a favorite Scripture about kindness, but a week or so ago I saw the effect of kindness on a cashier in a grocery store. The cashier I went to didn’t seem to be in a good mood (I understand, since I worked as a cashier–it can be hard working with the public). It was after a power outage that affected the store and a wide range, including my house. We started talking about that experience. She is a high-school student, and is online these days. She lost power at her house also, and couldn’t do school-work. I called her by name, and I noticed after we finished our conversation she was in a better mood. I think it was because a customer related to her as a person with her own life, instead of just someone who was ringing the customer’s groceries.

After that time, I resolved to try to call all service people by their names, and to try to find some shared experience, because that affirms human-ness (I think I just made up a word!) So many times service people are taken for granted by people. I can attest that can weigh on a person’s spirit.

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Amen!

Luke 6:31 is a fave.
Another favorite one of mine is: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4: 31-32.

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Yes indeed. The unbalanced influence of negativity makes genuine positivity all the more necessary.
The world can be a heartless place. I thank God for His own kindness to me (when I didn’t deserve it).
I am grateful for your engagement on my little blog and greatly enjoy engaging with you on yours.
Blessings, and a very Merry Christmas to you.

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A thought provoking post David. I don’t have an additional verse to add. Those shared already are so good. Though I do have a lesson in kindness a neighbor taught me this year. Her mother who was visiting from eastern Europe and spoke very little English would often be walking our neighborhood at the same time as I was out walking our Lab. She always had a smile and a warm greeting for Adi. One day, I decided to drop Adi’s leash in advance of reaching her so Adi could sprint ahead and give the dear woman lots of Labby love before I arrived. By the time I reached them, the woman’s eyes were sparkline and she said “Thank you” again and again. The next couple of times I saw her I did the same thing. I could tell the woman relished the time with Adi. One day her daughter stopped by to tell me how much it meant to her mother to have those moments with Adi. Their family was going through a real rough patch and getting ready to move and those Labby greetings were like a therapy session for her mom. I had no idea that this woman was as you said was “running on fumes” and how the simple act of giving someone extra time with my dog was a greater act of kindness than any words I could have spoken.

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I suppose you are right, Betty— I suspect you usually are.😉 My fictional emotional gas gauge would encourage a lazy person’s approach to relating with others.

Agreed, our compliments, or other kind words must be well thought out and sincere.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Merry Christmas to you, Dan and family.

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We all need kindness every day. The effect it has is so under-rated. It communicates a shared humanity, and a valuing of who that person is. Perhaps why we resonate so strongly with the concept of ‘random acts of kindness’.

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David, I love this post; however, I don’t think we need EGG. I think Matcha is right in that the compliment must be genuine. I can’t tell you how many times I have offered a sincere compliment, and the person was touched way more than I expected. I am going to check out the blog you mentioned. Your posts always bring important reminders to top of mind for me. Merry Christmas!

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Thanks, Jeffrey. Iron does indeed sharpen iron, and many of your posts cause my creative sparks to fly.

No, “blogsmith” is not in the dictionary, but it fits, brother. In my book, you have some of the most engaging content in “blogdom.”😀

Blessings to you, and a Merry Christmas to you as well. I hope to make it to Memphis one day for that sit down cup of joe.

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You and I, (and as self-admitted) Pete all do the essays as comments. It is because there is a lot that has been inspired with the post which is the very point of writing.

I agree, Jesus would want us to help out a down and out brother or sister. However, I do want to add, truthfully. Whatever we may say should be an honest, heart-felt compliment. It is the way Jesus would have wanted it as well as the only compliments that have value.

It is always possible as we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

“I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

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David! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m glad to know that this resonated with you and prompted a further discussion on it. This is the beauty of our blogdom (see? I can make up words too!). And by the way, I never think you ramble. I always value your comments and perspective. Yes, we all add to the ideas and discussions. What did you say the other day…iron sharpens iron? Merry Christmas, my friend!

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He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:35
I love this because we each just have one donkey, one bottle of wine and only so much oil. I have always believed (Though sadly not always practiced) that God will direct our path to someone we can show kindness to each day. We just need to be willing to stop and show compassion. Blessings Dave and yes I am a rambler as well!

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