“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” – Jeremiah 31:3
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to believe that big acts of love are what make the biggest impact. But for most people, what speaks the loudest are the small, consistent gestures of kindness that reflect the heart of Christ. This means our everyday behavior, not just our beliefs, shapes others’ perceptions of Jesus.
Of course, nothing that shows God’s love and draws people closer to Christ is “small”, but these are all ways that feel much less in-your-face than directly giving your testimony. There’s nothing wrong with providing others your testimony of salvation, but this doesn’t feel relational and doesn’t always help you build or maintain a connection with the other person.
The good news is, you don’t need a platform or perfect words to be a light. You just need a heart that’s open and willing to love others well. Here are six practical ways to do just that.
Table of Contents:
Be generous with your time and resources.
Generosity doesn’t have to look like a big donation or a grand gesture. Often, it’s in the willingness to say “yes” when it would be easier to say “I’m busy.” When we offer our time to others (by listening, helping, or simply showing up), we demonstrate the selflessness of Christ. Maybe a coworker is overwhelmed, and you offer to cover part of their shift. Or perhaps a friend just had a baby, and you drop off a home-cooked meal. These moments, though small, can feel like lifelines for fellow Christians and those who do not yet know the Lord.
This doesn’t have to be limited to colleagues and family members. Volunteering to help someone struggling to open a door because their hands are full or paying for the person in the drive-thru behind you are both ways to show love to strangers without it feeling invasive or creepy. It also helps if you don’t record the interaction or take pictures for social media. Recording good deeds makes people feel like you have ulterior motives and are just helping to get some views on Instagram or TikTok. By not documenting the interaction, it illustrates that you are only doing it to benefit the other person and bring glory to God.
Be quick to help or assist with other people’s problems.
Love doesn’t sit still; it moves toward people in need. We are called to have a “servant’s heart” for those around us, and that essentially means that wanting to serve others should be our default goal no matter the place, time, or circumstances. Of course, that doesn’t mean we cannot have other goals and desires for your life. This just means that if we see an opportunity to help someone unexpectedly, we should take it!
Love doesn’t always have to look like saving the day; it often looks like showing up and doing what you can to make someone’s day a bit brighter and make them feel a little less alone. One of the most harmful stereotypes of modern Christians is that we are deeply judgmental and slow to help those around us when we don’t get to post it on social media.
Also, helping sometimes means just listening to someone talk about their problems instead of trying to solve them yourself. This was something that took me a long time to learn, and I still struggle with it to this day. Asking someone, “What’s wrong?” and caring enough to listen to the full answer can mean more than anything else to a person who feels unheard and disheartened.
Uplift those around you in regular conversations.
Our words matter deeply. They can heal or harm, encourage or discourage. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “the tongue has the power of life and death.” With every conversation, we have an opportunity to build someone up or tear them down. A kind word costs nothing to give, but can mean the world to those around you. Give the compliments that you would like to hear. This means genuine, unique compliments that speak to the particular talents and traits of the individual being complimented.
If you don’t know the people as well (or at all), still offer genuine compliments and encouragement, even if not at a super in-depth level. Even everyday phrases like “I appreciate you” or “You handled that well” can stick with someone longer than you realize. When I was in college, my day would get exponentially better when a girl stopped me and complimented my hair, my outfit, or my smile. The fact that they went out of their way to let me know that they noticed something positive about me added a skip to my step and made the day a bit less stressful.
Uplifting others is one of the simplest and most underrated ways to reflect Jesus’ compassion.
Offer prayers and Godly insights when appropriate.
Prayer is often reserved for church or personal quiet time, but it is just as necessary for our everyday lives and in our relationships with others. It shows you care enough to stop, listen, and speak hope. Prayer can also seem intimidating for people who don’t have a strong, personal relationship with Christ. By introducing them to daily, intentional, and informal prayer, you can help those around you feel encouraged to try lifting their troubles to the Lord.
If a coworker mentions they’re nervous about a medical appointment, don’t just say, “I’ll pray for you later.” Ask, “Would it be okay if I prayed for you real quick?” That simple question can turn a stressful moment into a truly meaningful one. If this feels a bit too forward, you can also recommend that they pray about it themselves, by saying something like, “Have you tried saying a quick prayer about it?” or “It often helps me when I talk to God about things like this.”
Just remember: You don’t have to have all the answers—just a willingness to invite God into the conversation. You can help introduce the one guy who indeed has all the answers.
Resist using vulgar language or profanity.
This one may seem small, but how we speak shapes how others perceive our integrity as Christians. Choosing clean, respectful language (even when others don’t) demonstrates self-control, maturity, and a respect for what is of the Lord. Foul language can be abrasive and upsetting to those around us, so by prioritizing sanctified language, we are showing that we care about others’ peace of mind. It doesn’t mean that we think we are better than others because we don’t swear. It simply means that, to keep our minds focused on what is good, pure, and holy, we strive to use language that reflects these values.
When tensions are high at work or in traffic, it’s easy to let frustrations spill out. Instead, breathe, pause, and respond with grace. When you consistently choose not to use profanity when it’s easy, it will be easier not to slip into profanity when you really, really want to. Don’t criticize others for using bad language, but feel free to share why you refrain from that language yourself when asked about why you don’t swear and use vulgarity.
Offer mercy and grace for yourself and others.
Grace is at the center of the gospel. Unfortunately, it’s often the hardest to extend, especially when we’re hurt, annoyed, or disappointed. But when we lead with grace, we reflect the heart of Jesus more than almost anything else. Someone may cancel plans last minute or speak harshly in a moment of stress. Instead of assuming the worst, give them the benefit of the doubt. Extend forgiveness. And if you mess up? Don’t replay the failure on loop. Show yourself the same grace you’d offer a friend.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to be a pushover and let people completely back into your life after they badly hurt you or betray your trust. You can set healthy boundaries with these people even after forgiving them and giving your anger up to the Lord. With that said, forgiveness is a uniquely powerful way to demonstrate God’s love, and showing grace goes hand in hand with forgiveness.
What To Remember About Showing God’s Love
You don’t have to do all of these things every single day, fellow Christians. In fact, trying to can become overwhelming and unsustainable. Instead, consider choosing one or two of these practices to focus on each week. Maybe this week, you challenge yourself to offer encouragement daily. Next week, you can work on giving your time more generously.
What matters most is your heart: a heart that seeks to reflect Christ in whatever small way you can. Whether you’re holding the door for someone, praying for a coworker, or just biting your tongue when you’re frustrated, you are planting seeds. And God can grow something beautiful from even the smallest act of love.
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Until next time!
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