Kindness All Day Long—Voices of Justice and Encouragement in Turbulent Times (To Be Encouraged)

Blog Post: 

In the latest episode of the To Be Encouraged podcast, co-hosts Dr Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble dive straight into the most pressing and painful issues facing our communities today. Against a backdrop of civil unrest, violence, and increasing polarization, this conversation is an honest and impassioned exploration of what it means to be an encouraging, compassionate presence—even when chaos reigns.

Key Takeaway #1: The Golden Rule as a Foundation for Justice

The episode opens on a sober note, referencing the recent tragedies in Minneapolis involving ICE agents and the escalating deconstruction of civil society. Both hosts remember how the Methodist Church’s 1908 Social Creed boldly advocated for living by the Golden Rule, calling it the “remedy of all social ills.” Bishop Julius C. Trimble reflects on how this foundational ethic—treating others as we would want to be treated—remains a powerful and prophetic response to injustice: “The faith community should be so bold that we stand before injustice and cry out and speak directly to those who’ve been elected to leadership to say, whatever happened to the Golden Rule?” This is especially timely when basic civility appears to be abandoned in public discourse and policy.

Key Takeaway #2: Encouragement Is More Than Words—It’s Action

Dr Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble both recognize that “thoughts and prayers” are no longer enough. As faith leaders and citizens, there’s a call to move beyond the comfort of well-wishes into the grit of advocacy and tangible service. Bishop Julius C. Trimble puts it succinctly: “Our prayers should be linked with our participation and, sometimes, our protests.” Encouragement means showing up—through protest, through legislative advocacy, or by raising tough, necessary questions in our churches and communities. They urge listeners to challenge their congregations: “If we’re not talking about this, why are we not talking about this?” If we want society to change, it starts with us bravely initiating—and acting on—those conversations.

Key Takeaway #3: Be Salt, Be Light—And Remember, Kindness All Day Long

Perhaps the most stirring moments in this episode are when the hosts recenter the conversation on the teachings of Jesus—mercy, justice, and love for neighbor. Bishop Julius C. Trimble reminds us that living as “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” means refusing to be numbed or silenced by the normalization of state-sanctioned violence or cruelty. “Salt melts ice,” he says, using a striking metaphor for moral courage and compassion breaking through the hardest barriers. The episode closes on an uplifting note thanks to Bishop Julius C. Trimble ’s granddaughter, whose sweatshirt boldly proclaimed, “Kindness all day long.” This simple mantra encapsulates the spirit of the episode—while we are called to be voices of justice, we are also summoned, every day, to the ongoing, radical work of kindness.

In Summary:
In times of chaos and suffering, To Be Encouraged challenges us not to retreat into despair or comfortable platitudes. Instead, this episode is a rallying call: reclaim the Golden Rule, turn encouragement into meaningful action, and let kindness and justice shine through us—melting the ice of indifference and pushing back against the darkness of injustice.