Kindness to Heal

Isaiah 57:18-19a

“I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and comfort him and his mourners, creating words of praise.”

Romans 2:4

Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

We all shake our heads from time to time when we see wickedness flourish and wonder just why God doesn’t strike some people in their sin. We may have also wondered why some people could not break free from besetting sins or why others have become isolated in anger, unforgiveness, and bitterness. We may have loved ones whose hearts are turned away from God and earnestly long for them to turn back to Him. Perhaps, we’ve even been that person and could not understand our own actions at times.

These two passages explain a part of God’s nature that should give us both understanding and hope when encountering human behavior that is not appealing, whether in us or in someone else. In His quest for us to experience salvation, His desire is for us to be whole and complete, lacking nothing. If we are hurting or deficient in some area, we will try to compensate for it in some way. Our human nature can’t help but do this. For example, with two steel rods in my back, my spine has learned to compensate for the inability to bend or move in the middle of my back by adding extra pressure to my upper and lower spine. This extra pressure often causes me pain. When I’m experiencing pain, I can’t physically function the way I should, which holds me back from participating in some things.

We do the same thing spiritually. When we are hurting in some area emotionally, we will compensate for it with something that gives us temporary relief in order to cope with the pain. Our coping mechanisms are actually idols where we seek comfort. Anger, for example, is a coping mechanism for a wounded spirit. Rather than deal with the pain from a deep emotional wound, we find it much easier to just be angry. Anger also brings along its companions – unforgiveness, bitterness, rage, and a possible host of other emotions, as well. Until the wound is healed, these emotions take up residence in a heart that people misunderstand for mean, defiant, rude, critical, or harsh. God sees what is under the surface and seeks to heal so the individual can truly be saved – made whole and complete, lacking nothing.

For this reason, we see God being kind to those we would like to smack in the face. A smack would not change a single thing, but God’s kindness is designed to lead to repentance. His kindness has the ability to break through protective walls to build trust and heal the real cause of wrong behavior – pain. Only God is both just and compassionate and able to discern the true intentions of the heart. Only He can rightfully judge or heal, whichever is needed. May we all learn to give more kindness and less smacking.

Have a blessed day!