Focus—being Authentic And Consistent - The Gentleness Challenge: a 7-Day devotional

“…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

I don’t know about you, but I find it easier to be kind to people when others are watching, and I don’t just mean in a “so I look good” kind of way (though, there is that). It’s actually mentally easier. Like I actually don’t get as frustrated.

Why is that? Perhaps because I have a built-in guard in public that’s so subconscious as to be effortless—almost freeing in its automatic nature.

Something tells me I’m not the only one who tends to watch my words more carefully when friends or strangers are nearby. What if we trained ourselves to act as if someone whose good opinion we value is always watching?

Oh. Wait. That’s exactly what’s happening, right?

In Hebrews 13:5 God says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (NIV). He’s always by our sides! It’s a relief to know that the Lord is always near when I crave protection and comfort. But it should be an equally convicting realization when I let my tongue run away with me. Even when I have an audience of One (plus whomever I’m addressing, of course), my words should be above reproach.

Remind yourself that the Lord is with you always, even when no one else is around to hear your snippy tone. It’s such a good way to check our words at the doors of our mouths!

ACTION STEPS:

• As you begin your day, ask God to help you be a woman of integrity with your words, even when no one else is around to hear you but the child with whom you’re talking.
• Pick a verse from last week’s entries to memorize with your accountability partner(s) this week.
• Look for one way you can be especially sweet to your kids today (and then do it!)