Reflection: When the people closest to you describe you, is gentle a word they use? When things don’t go our way, is our power and passion under control? Here’s the reality – if your family is anything like mine your partner will frustrate you, your kids will sadden you, and there will be times when you are right and everyone else will be wrong (or at least you think that!). So, what will you do? How will you react? Gentleness is not something that comes naturally to me – I must continually bring myself under God’s control. And if I have any wisdom, it’s simply that I’ve finally worked out that it’s not loss for me when I do this, but gentle gain for all of us.
Max Lucado says, “I choose gentleness… nothing is won by force. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”
Question: Are there things in your life that you try to demand or win by force? Who does this benefit? Who does it damage?
Prayer: (In the words of Max Lucado): Lord, I choose gentleness… nothing is won by force. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself. Amen.