Fruit of the Spirit Series: Gentleness

Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. Phillipians 4:5  
​
Have you ever met someone who has a gentle and quiet spirit about them?  Who has such a calming presence?  Who has love and understanding that never stops flowing?  Their gentleness is so evident that it warms your heart.  These are the funerals you attend and people have unending stories of how this person blessed them with their gentle and quiet spirit. ​

My girls should be able to quote Lysa Terkeurst by now. When they are in the middle of a battle of who is right or wrong I will quote Lysa saying, “Do you want to be right or improve the relationship?” I will further add my own Heathercorp (work nickname) twist for more character building and say what’s more important: your sister or who is right about ________?   Or what’s more important: your sister or your toy?  

Another way to put this would be do you want to be right or connect more with other people?  Gentleness in spirit can increase and improve your ability to connect with others.
  
The Greek word for gentleness is also defined as mildness, gentleness, or fairness. Matthew Arnold, a famous 19th century writer, deemed this sweet reasonableness. 
​
I love the sound of that! 

When handling situations or conflicts with others, what if we all based the words that flowed from our mouths and actions we take with sweet reasonableness?  The relationship would then be maintained and opportunities in the future that present themselves are that much greater.  The more opportunities that come the greater the potential for positive impact.  

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your continued guidance in scripture about character traits that glorify you.  Help me to be gentle and to have sweet reasonableness in my interactions.  Help me to give others grace like you give daily so that I can walk closer to you.  

In Jesus Name,

Amen ​

Heather Lynch