How can I become more thoughtful of others? - Thoughtfulness - TouchPoints
1 Peter 3:8Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.
Philippians 2:3-7Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. [5] You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [6] Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. [7] Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,
Job 30:25Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?
Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
Romans 12:15-16Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. [16] Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!
We can be more thoughtful of others by trying to understand their experiences, their emotions, and their points of view. It takes humility to learn from people different from ourselves, especially if they don’t seem very smart, skilled, or important. It may even take a great deal of bravery, putting ourselves among unfamiliar people and places. Still, it’s worth it. When we learn to see others through God’s eyes and value them as he does, we will find a beautiful kind of fellowship we didn’t know we could have.
Romans 15:1-2We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go ahead and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of those who think these things are wrong.
We can be more thoughtful of others by considering what bothers their conscience. If we are confident that something we are doing is ok with God, but a friend is not, then we can avoid doing it when we are with that friend.
Ephesians 5:33So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Colossians 3:21Fathers, don’t aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying.
Ephesians 6:1-2Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise.
We can be thoughtful to our family members by following God’s basic guidelines for family roles and responsibilities: love, respect, and honor.
1 Thessalonians 2:7As apostles of Christ we certainly had a right to make some demands of you, but we were as gentle among you as a mother feeding and caring for her own children.
We can be thoughtful to others by giving up some of our “rights” of power or authority in order to come alongside them and help them.
James 1:19Dear friends, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Proverbs 15:28The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.
We can be thoughtful to others by carefully listening and thinking before speaking.
Proverbs 12:25Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Ephesians 4:29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
We can be thoughtful by encouraging others with cheerful and positive words.
Romans 12:8If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Proverbs 3:27Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
Acts 28:2The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us and warm us.
Hebrews 13:16Don’t forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.
Ruth 2:15-16When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!”
Romans 12:13When God’s children are in need, be the one to help them out. And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner or, if they need lodging, for the night.
James 2:15-17Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, [16] and you say, "Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well"-but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? [17] So you see, faith by itself isn't enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.
1 John 3:17But if one of you has enough money to live well, and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help—how can God’s love be in that person?
We can be thoughtful to others by remembering that God has equipped us to meet the needs of others. This gives us a different perspective on being more sensitive to others and reaching out to them with the gifts God has already given us.