Filled With Gentleness

FILLED WITH GENTLENESS

a prayer to open

Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

May your Kingdom come, may your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

A gentle answer deflects anger,

but harsh words make tempers flare.

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,

but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

The LORD is watching everywhere,

keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

Gentle words are a tree of life;

a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

When we are rushed, anxious, afraid, angry, sad, or tired, gentleness is often the first thing to go. We spit out a harsh word or shoot off a harsh text or email. Or maybe we act pridefully and refuse help when we obviously need it. With gentleness, we can tend to the story and pain of others. We can empathize and seek to understand. We can accept the love of those around us. We can lead others to the heart of Jesus.

• Where in your life do you see gentleness? In what areas are you struggling to demonstrate gentleness with your words and actions?
• What is your life saying about your gentle spirit, whether to those who know you or to those who simply observe you?
• Take a few minutes in prayer, asking God to show you where you need to grow when it comes to gentleness in words and actions. What did he illuminate for you?

Father, help me be aware of the words I use and how I use them. I want only to build people up, encourage them, and bring gentleness and respect to conversations. Guide me in knowing when I am apt to respond harshly, and convict my heart when I run afoul of gentleness with my words. May I be a person others see as a gentle presence: gentle in words and in spirit. Amen.