Choosing Gentleness

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (ESV)

A month ago I went on a much-needed vacation. I didn’t realize how burnt out I had become until I was on the airplane. Though I didn’t want to talk to anybody, when the immigration forms were passed around — and I realized I was without a pen — I was forced to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to me. Within moments of our talk, I welled up with tears. And I wept for the rest of the airplane ride.

Gentleness.

I had been living with a “go, go, go” attitude for a long time, making decision after decision, having to be nothing short of strong. Somewhere along the road, I had left tenderness behind. So, when I had a moment to just sit and be still, God allowed me to encounter an individual who flourished with a sprit of gentleness. Through this stranger, I encountered God.

When we abide in God, He lives through us and shows Himself with joy, peace, and kindness, in all of His beauty. Sometimes we can see how God uses us, and at other times, we have no idea how we touch the hearts of those around us who desperately need an encounter with God.

I’m sure this individual had no clue how they touched my spirit, but God sure did. All I want now is to be used in this way as well, and choose to live in gentleness.

Max Lucado says, “I choose gentleness…. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”

Heavenly Father, I long for Your fruit in my life. Today, I choose You and Your ways and ask that You would live in me and through me. May You use me to touch those in my life who need to encounter You. Amen. 

Take Action

Take a moment and reflect on an area of your life that you are struggling to see the fruit of God in you. Ask the Holy Spirit to live through you in that specific way this week. Watch and see how He will reach others because of your willingness to surrender to His beautiful ways.

 

The Trials of Life

1 Peter 1:6-7

Most likely, you’ve heard the age-old question, “If God is good, how can He let bad things happen?” Since the fall of man, life has always included hardship. Though trials are painful, understanding the Lord’s purpose can bring joy and hope.

The Word of God is clear that suffering is purposeful. Primarily, the Lord is conforming His children to be like Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18). When a person is newly saved, he or she still has many “rough edges.” Sanctification, which takes place from that point on, is the process of becoming holy—and few things build character like sorrow. Unfortunately, people rarely mature during pleasant times. Instead, pain brings impurities to the surface and forces people to see the reality of their life.

Another reason the Father allows trials is to test the faith of His children. Of course, He doesn’t need this for His own information—it is the believers who benefit. Tested faith is stronger and more reliable than untried faith.

Furthermore, God allows hardship in order to reveal His character, love, and power. During life’s storms, people who cling to their heavenly Father will find Him trustworthy and real. When the next difficulty arises, they’ll remember His faithfulness during the previous trial and will rest confidently in Him.

While no one wants to suffer, experience and sorrow will mature the believer. We can learn certain things from books and other people’s stories, but most growth occurs during trials. So, when problems occur and sorrow seems piercing, thank God for His purpose in your suffering.

The Reward of Careful Walking

All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins.

Numbers 6:4

Nazirites had taken, among other vows, one that debarred them from the use of wine. In order that they might not violate the obligation, they were forbidden to drink the vinegar of wine or strong liquors; and to make the rule even clearer, they were not to touch the unfermented juice of grapes, nor even to eat the fruit either fresh or dried. In order to secure the integrity of the vow, they were not even allowed anything that had to do with the vine; they were, in fact, to avoid the appearance of evil.

Surely this is a lesson to the Lord’s separated ones, teaching them to come away from sin in every form, to avoid not merely its grosser shapes but even its spirit and likeness. Such strict walking is much despised in these days, but rest assured, dear reader, it is the safest and happiest path. He who yields a point or two to the world is in fearful peril; he who eats the grapes of Sodom will soon drink the wine of Gomorrah. A little crevice in the seawall in Holland lets in the sea, and the gap soon swells until a province is drowned.

Worldly conformity, in any degree, is a snare to the soul and makes it more and more liable to presumptuous sins. The Nazirite who drank grape juice could not be completely certain whether or not it had fermented and consequently could not be clear in heart that his vow was intact. In a similar way the yielding, vacillating Christian cannot have a clear conscience but is constantly aware of his double standard. Doubtful things we need not wonder about; they are wrong for us. Tempting things we must not play with, but run from them speedily. Better to be sneered at as a Puritan than to be despised as a hypocrite. Careful walking may involve much self-denial, but it has pleasures of its own that are more than a sufficient reward.

Family Bible reading plan

• Ezekiel 1
• Psalms 37