Day 9: Fruit of the Spirit Series

Think Before You React

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

Have you ever experienced a mother yelling at her young child in a store to stop misbehaving? I am always tempted to intervene because the scene ultimately worsens as the parent's anger progressively increases. Today's scripture encourages us to respond with a gentle answer in those situations rather than harsh words BECAUSE the harsh words stir up anger.

As an educator, I was never a "yeller." Did I have situations in my classroom in which the students did not respond in the manner I desired? Of course, I did. However, at those times, I approached the situation by determining the best course of action.

Sometimes, it was a matter of redirecting my students by reinforcing a rule or procedure. At other times, I needed to spend time with a troubled student to get to the real cause of the problem. If I would have just "yelled," I would have become more agitated, and the students would have become more confrontational.

God knew that we would--on occasion--struggle with handling difficult circumstances in our lives. I feel certain that is why He so graciously provided us with the eighth gift of the Holy Spirit, GENTLENESS. Gentleness by its very nature is respectful, and it is pleasing to God.

Gentleness is an inward state of being that carries over in our actions. 1 Peter 3:4 provides this guidance for us "You should clothe yourselves....with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God."

I have always held dear a particular section of The Choice by Max Lucado. I challenge you today to read the words below from The Choice and to apply them to your life. I am certain that your relationships with others will be greatly enriched by doing so.........

"I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself. "

Dear Jesus, I come before you with the understanding that choosing gentleness is a choice that You desire for me to make in my life because You have stated that it is precious to You. I thank You for the gentleness that You have shown to me, and I ask that You help me to be more like You in my responses to others.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.