Day 48 - Gentleness

Have you ever gotten angry at the wrong time? Have you ever gotten angry at the right time? What was the difference in how you felt? What was the difference in the outcome of the situation?

Finish this simile: As ___________ as a lamb.

Did you choose the word “gentle?” Most likely you did because that’s the comparison we usually make. It’s even on standardized tests.

Can you think of a synonym for gentleness? The word most closely related to it is the word “meekness.” Meekness is defined as strength under control. That seems to me to fit for a definition for gentleness, as well. If you’ve ever seen the movie National Velvet, you understand the concept of gentling a horse. It is unthinkable to use anger or excessive strength to gentle an animal or a person.

In Ephesians 4, Paul talks to the Christians about working toward unity in the body of Christ. We are called to be representatives for Christ. That means people are watching our lives. What do they see? Do they see Christ in us? Do they see Christ in you? Do they see Christ in me? No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we are to accept and love other in spite of their faults. When we see faults in our Christian brothers and sisters, we need to strive to be patient and gentle. That’s difficult whenever someone’s personality annoys you. Rather than dwell on their weakness or look for their faults, pray for that person. Then do even more—spend time with that person and see if you can learn to like them (Life Application Bible).

This struggle is not new to our times. Conflict and gentleness are linked in the Philippian church. Two sisters in Christ were struggling with each other and Paul actually appeals for their reconciliation in a very public way (Philippians 4:1-5). Then he seems to widen his scope and speak to the whole church. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (4:4-5). Roll that phrase around in your thoughts for a day or so… “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Just as “a gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1) so a gentle life strengthens relationships and blesses all your relationships.

Steering a sailboat takes a gentle touch. There are two methods of steering a sailboat: with a tiller and with a wheel (like a steering wheel). Both take some getting used to (according to the article on www.dummies.com), but each method requires a gentle hand. So what happens if you aren’t gentle when steering a sailboat? You guessed it—something as major as capsizing or even danger of injury to you and any passengers. But done correctly, gentle steering puts you right where you want to be—with a full sail. Choose at least one “challenging” relationship in your life, and let your gentleness be so evident that they couldn’t miss it. Make it the legacy you leave with them.