Once a week, I take a class at the gym called “Body Combat.” Our instructor leads us in exercises that include high-intensity training, cardio, and martial arts. It is my favorite workout because, as you can imagine, my adrenaline is pumping and I am exhausted by the end.
Our class ends at 9:25 a.m., however at 9:30, the “Body Pump” crew begins. Because their routines include equipment, this group has been…ahem, eager….to enter the room immediately when our time concludes. Week by week, these weightlifting enthusiasts have encroached on our space closer and closer to 9:25…until last week, when they flooded inside while we were still stretching…at 9:24.
My instructor reached her breaking point, asking everyone who had just barged in to please leave because they were being rude. She was polite, yet firm, remaining professional while holding her ground.
Here’s the irony: in our class—which, in case you haven’t caught on, is VERY aggression-driven—we are encouraged to tap into our anger and frustrations. One of my favorite motivational phrases this instructor uses (as we are on the last track, about to keel over, mind you), is, “You have all week to be nice. But not here.”
So how does this apply to our overly zealous gym members?
Nice isn’t always an option, but kind is.
Being nice is wonderful, but sometimes, we have to be assertive. Kickboxing is not a “nice” activity, but that doesn’t mean the people doing it can’t also be kind.
Matthew 5:43-48 says:
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
In the real world, we can meet situations appropriately while never losing our humanity. We can stand up for ourselves and still offer words of encouragement to the opposing party. We can be upset by someone’s reaction and forgive without retaliation. We can watch horrors unfold around the world and pray for the souls of every, single human being.
So kindness isn’t just an option, it is our only choice.
Food for thought: To whom can show love, even though it’s hard?
Rachel Fisher 