I am thoughtful, considerate, and calm in dealing with others.
"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:5
Gentleness is easy when everyone is getting along and everything is going your way. It’s much more difficult in situations in which your patience is greatly tried; even more challenging if you’re being treated unjustly. In those moments, gentleness is seen for what it truly is—a supernatural expression of the Spirit of God resident in a person. It reminds me of Jesus’ prayer for his persecutors as they were fastening him to a cruel instrument of death: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Christ could have easily brought a quick end to those soldiers and the godless empire they represented. However, he responded with incredible meekness toward their wicked treatment. How could Jesus act with such gentleness? First Peter 2:23 explains: “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” Jesus could show such gentleness because he completely trusted in God’s sovereign care and justice. He didn’t have to fight for himself. You don’t have to
fight for yourself either.
In this “age of outrage” in which we live, gentleness is often in short supply. Let me suggest four ways to cultivate this fruit of the Spirit in your life:
Abide in Christ
Jesus said, “abide in me” and you’ll “bear much fruit” (John 15). Gentleness is an overflow of Christ living in us through his Spirit and Word. Jesus declared that he is “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Read and meditate on Scripture daily, even throughout your day, to drink deeply of God’s life-transforming elixir of gentleness.
Adjust Your Expectations
If we expect life to run smoothly, gentleness will be far more difficult to express. So, expect delays in your schedule. Understand that your children are going to disobey at times. Remind yourself that machines are built to break. Smile at life’s interruptions because Jesus sits on his throne.
Amass Gentle Friends
Proverbs 22:24 says, “Make no friendship with a man given to anger.” The people we spend time with greatly influence our behavior. This includes the music on our playlist, the personalities in our feeds, and the talking heads that gain our attention. Surround yourself with Christlike meekness in both your embodied friends and your virtual “friends.”
Ask for It!
Our Father in heaven desires that we walk by the Spirit and not by the flesh. When we ask him to grow gentleness in our lives, it is his desire to answer that prayer.
PRAYER
Father, grant me the gentleness of Christ that others may see you through my life. Empower me to be an ambassador of peace with such confidence in my King that meekness is my response to the various forms of opposition I encounter in this life. Lead me to love those who reject me and to show kindness in the face of anger. Help me to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which [I] have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2). Amen.