The world needs more grace

In today’s fast-paced world, kindness and grace often feel like momentary thoughts, thoughts that we praise but in theory struggle to embrace in our day-to-day interactions. Our lives are filled with assumptions, driven by immediate reactions, and often influenced by the endless scroll of news feeds, controversial debates, and mounting social pressures. We come across these challenges in political discussions, social interactions, and in our everyday lives. Most of us want to stand firm to what we think and often do not pause to consider the perspectives, needs, and feelings of others.

A lot of people think that kindness and grace are a sign of weakness, in fact that couldn’t be farther from the truth. They are powerful forces of unity and positive change. I’m not saying we need to sacrifice conviction to treat each other with compassion. As neighbors, community members, and individuals, we each have a role in creating an environment where kindness is the currency of exchange.

Over the last few weeks I have watched as people have publicly crucified a black teen for stabbing a white teen at a track meet. I posted that I was standing with the one who had done the stabbing, not because I don’t think he did it, or that I don’t think he needs to be held accountable, but I do think there is more to the story than what is being published and that without all the facts he should be shown some ounce of grace. What he did was wrong, there’s no doubt, but what led to that moment? Some argue it doesn’t matter there’s no reason for someone to kill someone else or to harm one, but as a parent would you be willing to hurt or kill for your child(ren)? 

I have watch a young man this past week struggle with the closing of his business, which was also his dream, only to be bombarded with hate. Lord knows, I know better than anyone that we do things people don’t like and it doesn’t take much to find someone to say something bad about someone else. I think in this situation what is the worst part, is the one who started the hate, was a preacher, who went to social media to make this guy into a villain, instead of seeing he was struggling, mentally, professionally, personally and saying “hey what can I do to help?”  He simply sat down at his computer and said “Look at this guy! He’s a terrible person. He lies, cheats and steals.” Maybe bad business decisions were made – any business owner has made them. Maybe bad personal decisions were done – any human alive has done them. So for this so-call man of God to come out and bash someone who is obviously struggling is prime example of why so many turn against the church. He is supposed to see this young man as a brother in Christ and instead kicks him while he’s down instead of showing him some grace.

The pressures on our personal lives, professional responsibilities, and broader social issues often result in divided opinions. We’re bombarded by news, opinions, and interpretations of the world around us that compete for our agreement, leaving little room to truly hear one another. But if we continually respond to life with unyielding opinions, we miss out on something essential–our ability to see the best in people, regardless of who they are or what they believe. By choosing to extend kindness and grace, we enrich our communities and promote understanding and resilience.

Grace is active force, a purposeful act of acknowledging the humanity in others and, in turn, our own. A kind word, an empathetic response, or a compassionate look at the challenges another person faces can dismantle walls and bridge divides. It offers a soft landing in our interpersonal connections. It is the act of giving room to others, allowing space for mistakes, misunderstandings, and even disagreements to exist without animosity.

In a society where snap judgments are often encouraged, stopping to question these assumptions can feel like an inconvenience. However, taking time to really understand someone’s background, experience, or viewpoint can profoundly change our perceptions of them. We may learn something surprising, something that reshapes our view and allows us to connect in a way we didn’t expect.

As a society we need to recognize that everyone faces their own set of struggles, insecurities, and fears. Some may be dealing with personal issues, while others may be carrying a history of trauma or hardship. Extending kindness and grace means acknowledging that our assumptions are just that — assumptions, and not truth. It means understanding that what we see on the surface is often just a fraction of someone’s story. By being open to that, we allow room for real understanding to take place.

In a world that often feels divided, kindness and grace serve as bridges that can unite us. By choosing to treat each other with compassion, understanding, and respect, we not only improve our own lives but also create a ripple effect that extends to our families, communities, and beyond. These values remind us that, despite our differences, we all share a common humanity. And by focusing on the positive, we can cultivate a culture that celebrates the best in each other.