Have you heard of LKM? Me neither, until today. The letters mean “Loving Kindness Meditation” and it’s one of the newest health fads. Apparently it’s right up there with KETO diets and Yoga and fruit smoothies.

Who knew? Apparently, this meditation helps with migraines, depression, and possibly aging.

LKM is even recommended by the Mayo Clinic:

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Kindness, or some expression of God’s love, is highly recommended in the Bible. Really, I don’t think it’s recommended; kindness is required. There is no other lifestyle for a Christian. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)

These words are instructions, not one more fad to think about.

So does that mean the Bible had LKM first? Can the Bible make us healthy? Yes.

And this is important for the Christians I know; kindness is an action, not a feeling. Kindness is not warm and fuzzy, and sentimental. You can be kind when you are not in the mood.

The opposite is to be selfish, stressed out, and unpopular. That is also called “success” in some places. People who really make it in this world ‘break eggs to make an omelette’ and they ‘don’t get rich by writing checks.’

In summary; if you are not nice, your quality of life will decline, and that includes your health.

I practiced kindness yesterday, and I really didn’t want to. I went out for a walk, after dark, and before I got out of our apartment building, I looked to my left, and that looking cost me something. We have a place, by the mailboxes, where we put letters that need to go back for such things as wrong addresses. The mailman picks them up and we never see them again.

When I looked, I saw two letters. One was for an apartment a few steps away, so I tapped on the door and gave the letter to my neighbor. The address was wrong on the envelope.

Then I realized the other lost letter was at the wrong building. Since I was on a roll anyway, I walked outside, around the corner, and three doors down, and pressed the buzzer on another building. Someone came right away for the lost letter, and thanked me.

No, I did not want to be bothered, but my neighbors got their mail, and my walk only went in a different direction. I had no happy feelings about this, I did not tilt my head, and make puppy eyes, and say “aah” or choose your best warm-fuzzy expression. I did not do that. I just walked a few steps to help someone.

And I am not a hero now. I should do a lot more acts of kindness, and so should you. According to the Mayo Clinic, we will be healthier. I also believe we might save some marriages, and confused juveniles could use some good examples from their elders, as they become adults. I work as an instructor, and I know I must be kind to the students. I have to work for their benefit, and the direct result is a paycheck for me.

As you read this, I’m sure you agree with me right now. So here is the problem; this will never work. If we could be kind by focusing and meditating, we would. We all know the world is filled with bad news, every day. For example, there are religious people who think that God wants them to fight and kill, to make the world a better place.

And there are websites dedicated to bad, or terrible news, and they have stories to add, every day. I won’t link to most of them, in this Christian site; some of the stories are disgusting. I did find “Bad News for India” by the Hindustan Times, and they seem to have much to write about. Yes, even in India, enjoy:

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Our kindness problem is spiritual. I remember when I was a young man, starting my adult life. Looking back now, I was not heading for success in life, and sometimes I was selfish and mean. That attitude just came out of me, even when I tried to hold it in. I know now, from experience, that we can’t be that good person, until God makes a spiritual change in us. I am not a good person now, but I am forgiven, and refocused. Now I have the option to be kind. I can walk to my neighbors and give them their missing mail and I can teach anyone.

Real kindness is a revolution, and one that the world needs. It’s the cure for the sickness that fills the news every day. One of the best reasons for recommending God in our lives, is kindness. It won’t happen any other way.

So yes, the Bible can make us healthy.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5: 43 to 48)