The Power of Kindness in Divided Times

The Radical Act of Love: Finding Our Way Back to Kindness in Divided Times

It often feels like we are living in the eye of a storm. Turn on the news, scroll through your social media feed, or listen to a casual conversation at a local coffee shop, and you are met with a common theme: friction. We live in an era defined by political polarization, ideological walls, and a pervasive sense of “us versus them.”

In times of deep societal strife, it is easy to harden our hearts. It is easy to view kindness as a weakness and empathy as a tactical error. But if we look back to one of the most profound meditations on the human spirit—1 Corinthians 13:4-8—we find a blueprint for something far more durable than partisan loyalty. Politics, ideology, and general attitude should never divide a family. It is OK to be a republican, democrat, liberal, moderate, socialist, etc.

Whatever happened to agree to disagree and get along with people. I did not agree politically with the former administration on many topics or ideals. However, I did not use that a tool of hate or fear. I just simply disagreed and kept my sense about me.

In 1st Corinthians 13:4-8 We find the blueprint for love. This is the word of God, the almighty, the healer, the beginning and the end of all. You may not agree with me or worship God. However, this can be applied to life in general as part of being a better, kinder society. The harshness of the modern world and social norms must not dictate how we feel, act, see and treat others.

The Anatomy of Love in a Harsh World

Paul’s famous passage doesn’t describe love as a fleeting feeling or a romantic notion. It describes love as an action.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” I have been married for 33 years in June and kindness and love have been the key to our success.

When we hold these words up against the backdrop of our current political and social climate, they feel less like poetry and more like a radical protest. We need to be protesting for love, kindness, compassion and good. Not for evil, obedience and shameful behavior.

“Love is patient, love is kind.” In a world that demands instant, aggressive reactions, choosing patience—taking a breath before lashing out at an opposing viewpoint—is a revolutionary act. Watch socials and see how people are treating others and tell me the Devil is not at play in our world. People are being so mean, so aggressive and so outright terrible at times. And the root cause is selfishness and lack of manners, discipline and proper raising.

“It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” We live in a “call-out” culture that keeps exhaustive lists of every mistake a person has ever made. To practice love is to acknowledge that people are more than their worst moments. It is the grace to move forward rather than keeping score.

“It does not dishonor others.” This is perhaps the greatest challenge of our time. Can we disagree vehemently with someone without stripping them of their dignity? Can we hold our ground on issues we care about while still honoring the humanity of the person on the other side of the aisle?

Kindness as a Form of Resistance

There is a dangerous misconception that being kind means being passive or agreeing with everyone. But 1 Corinthians 13 tells us that love “rejoices with the truth.” It isn’t about ignoring reality; it is about how we engage with it.

When we meet hate with hate, we only fuel the fire. When we meet division with suspicion, we build the walls even higher. But when we choose kindness in the face of strife, we disrupt the cycle. Kindness is the “kink in the chain” of polarization. It forces a pause. It reminds our neighbor—and ourselves—that there is a human soul behind the political label.

Choosing “Love That Never Fails”

The final, and perhaps most comforting, line of the passage is this: “Love never fails.”

This doesn’t mean that love always wins the election or solves the policy debate overnight. It means that love is the only thing that creates a bridge when everything else is burning. While political strategies shift and ideologies rise and fall, the act of showing up with patience, grace, and kindness remains the only force capable of healing a fractured community.

How can we practice this today?

Listen to understand, not to rebut. The next time you find yourself in a heated debate, try to ask one genuine question about why the other person feels the way they do, rather than preparing your counter-argument.

Check your digital footprint. Before you post or share, ask: Does this contribute to the common good, or does it simply add to the noise?

Extend grace to the “other.” Choose to believe the best about someone despite their political affiliation. It’s hard, and it won’t always be reciprocated, but that is exactly why it is a virtue.

In a world that screams for us to choose sides, let’s choose the harder, better way. As I tell others that ask for my advice. Choose to be different from the ones we see on socials being ugly, mean, horrible and terrible people. Choose kindness, love, patience and just do the right things. Let’s be the people who are patient when others are rushing to judgment, and kind when the world is being cruel. Because, as Paul reminds us, everything else will eventually fade away—but love? Love remains.

Lets be the people God created and expects us to be. Let’s be nice, kind, faithful, strong, able, loving, wonderful, and supportive. Let’s bring manners back. Let’s bring self discipline back. Let’s bring self control back. Let’s allow God into our lives and hearts for guidance and not some social media clown that is doing the wrong things for clicks and money. The word is the word and it is calling on us to to better.

1- Can you do better at being a better human?

2- Can you find patience, love and kindness in your heart for those you do not agree with?

3- Can you be different and be good to all?

Lord, I pray a blanket of coverage for all reading this message today. I pray you give them the guidance, grace, mercy and forgiveness, so they themselves can show those traits to others. I pray I be a better husband, father, friend, coach, teacher, community member and human being.

Amen