Thirsty Thursday – Gentleness

The next Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) is Gentleness (or gentle).  Doesn’t this photo remind you of being gentle? A gentle Mama at least!

“Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Philippians 4:5

I feel this about all things Christian! It should be evident that you are a Christian just as your gentleness should be evident!

“…but do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:5

This is important. We as Christians are to share our hope that we have in Christ with even the non-believer! But we need to be gentle and be respectful to those who don’t believe. Although it is very hard when we know the peace and hope we feel because of our belief. True Christians want others to believe so that they may feel the same and have their heavenly reward. We are scared for them but we must be gentle in our words to show respect to their non-belief!

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1

WOW! So, so true. We need to watch our mouths!  Think about what we want to say before we say it! My Mom impressed that on me. But, I am human and it slips sometimes. You know the old saying, think about it before you do it and watch how you say that! Same thing!! Although I feel no words can be worse than a harsh word sometimes.

Do you think about being gentle? I can tell you I think more about being kind but now I see being gentle is part of that! Do you struggle with helping the non-believer see? Have you ever thought of being gentle and respectful towards them? How about your gentleness being evident to all, do you feel that people see that? Do you need to work on it? I know I do!

I have a special prayer request. I’m going to make the long story short but just know that God knows the situation and the names. I have a great friend (she is my age) that has struggled with her Dad being an alcoholic and not being a Dad to her all these years. She had some great non-alcoholic days with him the past week but then it happened. She went to dinner with him and her husband and he was already drunk when she picked him up. They went to dinner and he was very rude to her husband, pretty much making a spectacle. She wants her Dad in her life but cannot handle the alcohol. She wants him to be believer of Christ. Please pray for her and her Dad. Thank you so much!

Lord God, thank you for reminding us that being gentle is important. Help us to see this in everything we do right down to the way we treat our online friends, our children, our families and the world around us. Lord, help my friend to be patient with her Daddy, help her to be gentle and have the right words to bring him to you. Help her Dad to see the mess he is making. We know you can and will in time because you are the Great Provider! In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Many blessings my friends!

Chele