When Is It Most Difficult for You to Be Nice?

Is there a time to be nice and a time to be firm? Nice implies a courteous and helpful attitude, but is it possible to act nice while feeling angry and frustrated internally? If being nice is your only option, what may not get expressed is honesty.

In some people’s opinion, being nice conveys reluctance to be absolutely honest. In truth, it is not always appropriate to verbalize everything you think or feel. Saying something unkind or deliberately hurtful is seldom, if ever, forgotten.

There is a time to say what you think and a time to remain silent. We often equate being nice with kindness, but is it possible to be kind while disagreeing on issues or a situation? Listen to 1 Corinthians 13:4: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” It is possible to be loving and kind when the Holy Spirit is your guide.  

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My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

~James 1:19 New International Version

 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but those who are cruel bring ruin on themselves.

~Proverbs 11:17 New International Version

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Don't Be Foolish ~ Be Patient

God’s plan for Samson was the deliverance of his people from the ruling Philistines. God equipped Samson for this task, but his impatience and impulsivity would sabotage God’s objectives. This clearly illustrates that we can impede God’s purpose for us, but at the cost of tremendous regret and sorrow.

God gave Samson unusual strength that became activated when the power of the Lord was present to help him escape crises that he himself tended to create. His sharp intelligence was used to manipulate others, sometimes for fun because he was mischievous and at other times for personal and political benefits.

God expects us to be accountable for using his wonderful gifts and blessings. The Apostle Paul gives us this reminder from Romans 12:3: “By the grace of God given to me I tell you not to think you are better than you are, but measure yourself with sober judgement, according to the degree of faith God has assigned to you.” Good advice. Act on it!  

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Patience is better than pride! Don’t be quick tempered – that is being a fool!

~Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 The Living Bible

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud.

~1 Corinthians 13:4 Good News Bible

Love is so patient and so kind. Love never boils with jealousy.

It never boasts, is never puffed with pride.

~1 Corinthians 13:4 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People