“Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 CSB

I really loved the new Superman movie. Dear Danielle and I had a date night to go watch it, and it was so encouraging for us to see the hero on the screen, and the whole theme of the movie, be kind above all else. I’m always inspired by stories of heroes and people doing the right thing, it’s why I love D&D and reading comics books, the art reveals the heart of God. The heart of a kind God.

I’ve always strived to be kind and have joy, that word “strived” means that I am not perfect at that feat, but I try my hardest. Try to live with humility and give others the benefit of the doubt, doing what I can to see the good in all things even when things aren’t good.

Sometimes it doesn’t always work out for me, and that’s okay.

I tend to let humility make me be overlooked for my achievements and wins, I have given people chances that I really shouldn’t have, and I easily fall into the “if I don’t text first I don’t hear anything backup friend” vibe.

And you know what, that’s okay, it happens. Life happens, but you know what?

I can’t let bitterness build up, because kind is cool.

Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus has this moment where he reminds us to not have all this junk in our hearts, but to be kind, just like God is to us.

God saved us because He is kind, and we can be like that too.

I’ve been in this odd in-between season of life, stepping away from a place that I just didn’t fit, and into stay-at-home dad life, praying and trying to figure out what next looks like. There hasn’t been a big sign of where or what, only my heart to help others and be kind. So, when I look at the story of the Bible, I remain confident that the goal is about being a light and striving to be more like Christ.

Jesus dealt with hard moments and that helps me put things into perspective. He was loved, and hated. He had close friends, and He was betrayed. He had a captive audience, and He had silence. He was honored, and He was killed.

Jesus remained kind, knowing that He would forgive all people and reach out His hand to us to be saved.

I think that’s cool.

I am comforted by the fact that even when I don’t feel know or seen or like I don’t exist to people I have served, Jesus sees me. He loves me and made a way for me. He did that for you, too.

I think that’s beautiful.

Kindness is beautiful.

Get this murky, mean, hyper-misogynistic worldview out of here and out of the body of Christ.

We need to let go of anger, bitterness, junk, and do what Jesus did. Be kind; forgive, love, and have compassion.

I know this has read very moody, but I’m feeling moody. I’m human, but I know one thing, kind is cool.

My prayer recently has been that I remain kind, no matter what season I’m in or that I feel unseen. The truth is that I am seen and fully known and fully loved by the people that matter the most to me. My dear Danielle knowing that my headspace has been on a rollercoaster, still being a kind voice of encouragement that I need. My sweet Violet who wakes up and seeks me out because it’s time to play because she knows her dad will.

If you take something from this post, please choose to be kind.

We don’t need more bullies in the world, we need more people who look at the people around them, and choose to be kind. You might change someone’s life and save them.

Kind. Is. Cool.

I am choosing in a season of unknowns to be kind, so that my dear Danielle and sweet Violet can see what that looks like through my actions. I am choosing to be kind because every single person I come across deserves to be loved the way their savior loves them, and if I can show a fraction of that love through my joy and kindness, then I have succeeded.

Choose to be kind, the world needs you to be the hero.

• Your pastor and friend, Joshua.

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About the Author: Joshua Thomas is a husband, father, and pastor doing what he can to love others the way Jesus did. You can find him reading a good book, sipping warm tea, taking pictures, or dreaming. He may not have it all figured out, but the journey is the best part. You can find him on the only social media he uses, Bluesky and Instagram