Gentleness

When I think of gentleness, I think of lambs and adorable bunnies. (My mother filled our house with rabbits due to her wonderful obsession, and they constantly remind me of gentleness.) Unless they are the rabbits from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail", they are timid and weak, so they don't have much of a choice but to be gentle. God offers us a greater challenge. How can we be lambs in a world of wolves--in a world where we can choose to hurt or be hurt. Lambs and bunnies don't have that choice. 

I believe that gentleness does not refer to weakness, but self-control. We can retain our strength without sacrificing our gentle attitude. Being a gentle human should not result in sacrificing ourselves as helpless doormats for others to hurt time and time again. Instead of calling us to constant pain and belittlement, I believe God asks us to retain our strength and self-respect. Remember Jesus's "turn the other cheek" saying? (Matthew 5:38-42) I don't think He invites us to beaten or taken advantage of. (God helps those who help themselves.) Consider this: Rob hits Joe on Joe's left cheek with his right hand. If Joe turns his cheek before Rob hits him again with the back of his right hand, Joe will avoid being slapped. God calls us to have the self-control to turn from the fight and respond in a loving way while retaining our self-respect.  

Furthermore, we are called to have gentle minds. Our thoughts shape our actions, which form into habits.  A gentle mind hopes for the best; it welcomes optimism and purity. Gentle minds wish the best for others and offer the benefit of the doubt. I'm reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen right now, and the character Jane constantly puts me in awe with her persevering gentleness of mind. She always makes exceptions for people's sin, saying that they must have good intentions at heart or that she is misunderstanding them. If their sin is blindingly clear, she genuinely pities them because it must be weighing down their heart. This, this is what we are called to do. 


Ways to be gentle this week:
1. Instead of jumping at the bit to respond when you get in an argument, listen with a gentle heart. 
2. Be the master of your own mind- gentle thoughts.
3. Consciously avoid raising your voice. 
4. Be a gentle forgiver. Avoid grudges. (This one is always tough on me!)
5. Stop to think about what you say before saying it. (My mother was huge on this when I was younger.)

Resources for your week of gentleness:
This song is wonderful for gentle thoughts.
I found this helpful list of 32 ways to be gentle.
This website has a list of Bible quotes on being gentle.
Enjoy!

The big questions for reflection:
When do we lack gentleness? 
What holds us back from attaining a gentle mind?
Who/ what are the "wolves" we face today?
What's the game plan for fixing this?

Prayers up and anchors down,
Katie :)