A Common Battle

“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”

Most recently this quote has been attributed to Robin Williams, the famed comedian whose life ended tragically in suicide in 2014 after a struggle with Lewy bodies dementia (the same diagnosis my father has). However, the thought revealed in the quote may go back many decades. Several people attribute a similar quote to Ian Maclaren. One quote in the Boston, Massachusetts periodical, Zion’s Herald reads,

Ian Maclaren, along with other celebrities, was asked to send a Christmas message to an influential religious weekly in England. He responded by sending the short but striking sentence: “Be pitiful [full of or characterized by pity; compassionate, merciful, tender] for every man is fighting a hard battle.” No message is more needed in our days of stress and storm, of selfish striving and merciless competition. (1898 January 26, Zion’s Herald, Be Pitiful, Page 101, Volume 76, Issue 4, Boston. (ProQuest American Periodical Series))

Regardless of where the sentiment comes from in recent times, the idea of kindness is pervasive in the Scripture that we hold so dear to our hearts. Hebrews 13:1-2 may be the closest passage to the quotes above: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” While angels may not have the same physical struggles as us (yet there seems to be a spiritual warfare that goes on outside our view), it does reveal to us that there are things we cannot see or understand so the best practice is to treat everyone with kindness and hospitality.

Some people may not be so easy to love and serve because of their attitude. Often times people who are hurting can be the most hurtful to others. Most animals that are wounded are difficult to approach. The same seems to be true for humans. But even to those who are our enemies Jesus would encourage us to love them “and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35). Peter would later add to that thought by saying, “show hospitality to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9).

So let me encourage you this week to be kind and serve all those you come in contact with. Compliment them. Hold the door for them. Give without expecting in return. Just be kind. You may be the only positive thing that happens to them all day or even all week. My prayer is that every interaction that people have with you this week leaves them feeling like they have come in contact with Jesus.

Ben