But the Fruit of the Spirit is... GENTLENESS..." Galatians 5:22-23
Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a
harsh word stirs up anger.”
How many of you have experienced this verse first hand in
one or both instances? Unfortunately, if I answer harshly, I tend to be around family/those who know me best. However,
if I am at work or with people who don’t know me very well, I usually have a gentler answer. Pretty sad isn’t
it? This proves that if I want to, I
can control what comes out of my mouth (even if it isn’t what I might be
thinking). At work I know that it is my job to be kind, gentle, and overly
considerate to the customers (and fellow associates) that I encounter. If I don’t, I could be fired, or I may be on
the receiving end of a long lecture about customer service. Meanwhile, at home, your family can’t fire
you… They (usually) love you no matter what.
This should make us want to be gentlest to them, but instead we
usually take advantage of the fact that they are family and will love us
anyway… I want to try to have a
soft/gentle answer when it comes to everyone.
I am striving to be someone who serves God whole-heartedly and not just
when others are watching. I want to be
a doer of the Word and not just a hearer…(James 1:22)
What are some instances where you have gently answered
someone and it has turned out for the better?
Who do you need to be gentler to?
As always I look forward to you input!
Blessings!
~ S*
I should have read this last week BEFORE I had the confrontation with the girl at the concert!!! I've seen this work for your Dad many times....think I could learn a lesson!
ReplyDelete