What is Thoughtfulness? Let's Learn to Be Considerate.

By Ann Weaver. 

 

Credits: Ann.

Thoughtful 

Showing consideration for the needs of other people.

(New Oxford American Dictionary)

 

If you look up the word “thoughtful” in any dictionary, there are many different definitions. There is the contemplative type, there is the careful reflection or thought type, there is the anxious and solicitous type. 

The type of thoughtfulness we are focusing on this month is that of showing care and consideration towards others. When we are thoughtful, it often means giving up our own comforts or wants and caring for others first.

But why should we be thoughtful? There are several reasons: 

 

1: It is kind.

This is simple but true. Being thoughtful is caring and kind. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another…” and about the excellent wife in Proverbs 31:26 that “…the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Should we not strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman, even now at a young age? 

 

2: It is loving.

No matter how we demonstrate it, being thoughtful for other people’s needs and wants before our own shows our love. 1 Corinthians 10:24 says that “… love is kind…”, and Jesus tells us to “… love our neighbor as yourself…” (Leviticus 19:18.)

 

3: We are to be considerate.

Titus 3:2 tells us that we are to be “…showing consideration for all men.” (Or all people!) As well, Jesus says in Matthew 7:12, “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you…” Wouldn’t we all like to be treated with consideration and thoughtfulness? Let us then do our best to be treating others in that same way. 

 

The biggest challenge is often to remember that we should be thoughtful even when no one ever notices. This can be hard, for if we’re honest, we’ve probably all done something that may be truly kind in order to be noticed. I know I have. It is often so subtle, and we may not even realize we’re doing it. Of course, this totally defeats the purpose! How are we being thoughtful if we are only doing it to be noticed and thanked? 

“What is the point of all this?” you may ask. Certainly, it is to be kind and loving, and also to show consideration for others. But is there any higher reason?

Yes! When we do these things, it pleases God and is in obedience to His commands. Our aim above all should be to love Him with our whole hearts, and we show Him our love by obeying what He says. 

Maybe you have read all this and are thinking, “Yes, of course I want to be thoughtful! I want to be considerate! But I can’t seem to think of anything I could do!” 

The best thing to do is pray. Pray for God’s guidance on how you can be thoughtful towards others. Also, pay attention to others, and take notice of their habits, responsibilities, and enjoyments. Consider some ways this specific person could be blessed. Often it may just be something simple such as doing your little sister’s chore or a cleaning job for your mom, for a little thoughtfulness can go a long way. Something that may seem small to you can mean a lot to someone else, whether you know it or not. 

Be on the lookout for future articles on this topic! Later this month we will be sharing a list of ideas on how to be thoughtful towards others, so that we can all have something with which we can get started! 

 

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