Gentleness

There are times when God gives us people in our lives that reflect such a clear picture of the things of God, you just have to say Thank You, Father, for letting that person into my life! Today, during my devotional, Renew Your Gentleness. Which is something I need to work on. After working in corrections for 15 years. When I read the script (Prov 15:1, Col 5:12-13, I Pet 5:3-4, James 3:17-18), I found my little sister so perfectly described. God used her to help me understand gentleness in a new way. I was able to see its strength and how and why this needs to be a coveted fruit of the Spirit. One of nine fruits God has said marks us as his children.

Proverbs 15:1 says a gentle answer deflects anger. I began to see her face, and I remembered telling my son you will never hear Aunt Tessa say a bad thing about anyone. Matter of fact, my daughter and I were speaking about someone who hurt her. I said “they are a jerk” because I knew she would not say the words.  First, Peter says how gentleness comes from within, like an inner beauty. Yes, that is her beautiful soul, just knowing her is a privilege.

The statement in my devotion said some look at gentleness as a weakness, but how would you describe its strength? I thought for a while, then I saw that gentle soul, who reaches out to the fallen bird, cupping their hands around it to protect it. There is no judgment on how the bird fell. The protector does not lash back when the bird bites out of fear. But they will speak softly until the bird is in a safe place. This is my sister, she reminds me at times, that hurting people hurt people. She would never bring further damage with her words. She protects them with a gentle and kind response. She covers them in prayer and speaks softly until they are in a safe place. God help me be more like that. Jesus did the same when he hung on the cross; there were his fallen birds, scared, lashing out in their pain. But he put himself between them and the devil. He covered them in prayer and spoke softly until he could provide a safe place under his very own blood.

Thank you for your gentle, loving spirit. Jesus, help me be more like you every day!

Written for the glory of God by Angela Dollar                                     

Keywords: gentleness, strength, fruit of the spirit