Several nights ago, I awoke in the middle of the night with this verse on my mind, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Twice the following morning, the word gentleness again reached beyond my mind, stirring my heart. God was speaking — nudging me to attention.
You see gentleness ranks far from my top attributes. I am a matter-of-fact, get-er-done, no-nonsense kind of girl. Actually, quite impatient at times! I have walked with Jesus long enough to know that He always has good reason to bring things to my attention. Experience has taught me to listen before His gentle nudges became more emphatic and persistent.
I cherish my many friends who consistently bring their gentle nature into situations. Their gentleness quickly becomes evident to everyone who knows them. I want to follow their example, replacing sporadic efforts with an undergirding of this quality in my life too. I must be honest and transparent as I write, acknowledging my weakness in this area.
Gentleness Is Evident
I immediately reacquainted myself with the following passage of Scripture from Philippians 4. Gentleness almost swings unsupported between the thoughts surrounding it. Yet, the more I pondered the context of these verses, the more clearly I understood the connection.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7
Gentleness grows when supported by these intertwined qualities — choosing joy in every circumstance, an awareness of God’s abiding presence (now and forever), the pillar of faith expressed through prayer and petition, and an attitude of gratitude. Wherever these disciplines of faith dwell, peace flourishes. Within the ground of peace, gentleness freely blooms.
So, this passage begs me ask, “If gentleness lays dormant in my life, which of these necessary attributes am I lacking?” Honest self-evaluation always precedes the ability to change. Why am I all too often rigid, stern, or harsh? When do I feel myself become irritable or insensitive to the needs of others? And believe me, my friends, I experience those times.
Being naturally optimistic, rejoicing comes natural to me. I also carefully till the soil of prayer. And yet, at times, I allow peace to become compromised. When things feel out of control, rather than gentleness, the opposite characteristics rise to the surface.
Oh! How I desire to change, becoming more like Jesus!
Gentleness Personified
We are given many examples of the gentleness of our Lord within the pages of our Bibles. Jesus welcomes us to …
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:29
Many of you have learned these lessons well and passed the tests of gentleness with which I continue to struggle. I see many examples in others of genuine humility and the ability to rest in Christ even during the most severe storms of life. Paul reflects on the same thought in Ephesians 4:1-3 when he says, “I … urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love …” Gentleness grows within the humble soil of the heart.
Isaiah portrays a wonderful picture of the Lord as our Shepherd:
” He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
Isaiah 40:11
The perfection of His gentleness draws us close to Him without reservation and secure in his arms.
Pursue Gentleness
In one of the last letters the Apostle Paul wrote he encourages his young disciple, Timothy, with these words,
“But you, man of God flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses … I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Timothy 6:11-14
At times, we must fight against natural tendencies for what is right, straining to reach what we know to be good and godly. There is no shame in becoming — no shame in growing in areas of weakness as we flee from yesterday’s failures and by God’s grace pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Becoming! Isn’t that a beautiful word? A word of hope? In every area of our lives, we are becoming — becoming more like our gentle and humble Shepherd. Then the garden of our hearts will produce an abundance of God’s rich fruit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Gentleness truly is a fruit produced by the Spirit of God within us. Our part is yielding to His work. Bless you, my dear friends, as we grow in the grace of gentleness together. More and more, may our gentleness be evident to all!
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