Day 203: How Others Perceive You

Today’s Scripture: Proverbs 19:22

Central Thought: Loyalty and kindness will make you attractive to others.

Let’s look at just one phrase, ‘The desire of a man is his kindness” (KJV). Through the miracle of numerous translations, we can come up with a composite that looks like this: A person who has a personality of kindness and loyalty will be found by others to be charming, attractive, and desirable.

How do people perceive you? Do they find you desirable company? The way you act toward others and the reputation you have forged for yourself over a period of time determine what others think about you now. Are they thinking good thoughts?

Perhaps you are happy with the present results. But if you could change other people’s perception of you in any way, would you? The two specific perception changers that relate to this verse of Scripture are kindness and loyalty.

A working definition of kindness is ‘acts of goodness.” This might mean doing the little things or going beyond the call of duty or being available in times of need. Have you ever visited anyone in the hospital? Have you ever mowed a neighbor’s yard? Have you ever asked your spouse if there is anything you could do to help make his (or her) load lighter?

Loyalty is ‘holding trust” with or for someone. If you are loyal, you will believe the best about someone and defend his or her honor. You will ‘cover his back.” Loyalty is the kind of love that knows all about someone (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and still loves him, and will until the day he dies!

Devotional Prayer: Lord, help me to display kindness and loyalty that others may perceive me as Your child.

Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 4:1-6:11; Romans 7:1-13; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 19:22-23