While growing up, I often overlooked gentleness when I recited the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23. At that time, I did not understand why gentleness is considered a fruit of the Spirit, mostly because it seemed so similar to other fruits of the Spirit such as love and kindness. Although that did not make any sense back then, God has recently shown me the importance of gentleness. Over this past year, I have been feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I started feeling this way around April 2018, when projects, essays, and SAT tests began piling into my lap. The stress continued over the summer, and “summer break” did not really feel like a break. During that time, I started working on college applications, which was a lot more work than I had imagined it to be. Not only did I have to write multiple essays, but there was so much paperwork to fill out about my general information and extracurricular activities. During my free time, I was able to do fun and relaxing things, but thoughts about how far behind I was in the work that I needed to finish were always in the back of my mind. As my work load became heavier, I started to realize that the stress I had been feeling caused me to become more easily frustrated. I noticed that I was not as patient with others and that I had a shorter temper than usual. While I was trying to choose my one little word for 2019 during these past few weeks, God placed the word “gentleness” in my mind and He showed me that gentleness really is an important characteristic to have. I learned that gentleness can be applicable to many different areas of my life. So this new year, I want to start being more gentle in the way I speak, more gentle in the way that I respond to others, and more gentle in the way that I treat others. Below, I will also be sharing some verses that I want to live by starting 2019. (As I searched for a life verse to pick for this upcoming year, I found it very difficult to pick only one, so I picked multiple!)
James 1:19-20 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.” Proverbs 15:18 says, “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” Proverbs 21:23 says, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
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When Jesus visited the sisters Mary and Martha, Mary sat at His feet while Martha got caught up in all the preparations that needed to be done. You may have been in Martha’s position before, where life feels so overwhelming that you cannot even keep up. It seems as if the to-do list never ends! (I sure have felt that way too.) However, at any moment, and especially in those stressful moments, it is still Jesus Who matters most. Mary chose to sit in Jesus’ presence and to leave her troubles at His feet. All those tasks did not matter to her because she fixed her eyes on the Lord. When we take our focus away from our difficulties and gaze steadily upon our Savior, that is when we can do the impossible. Similarly, when Peter looked to the Lord and replaced his fear with faith, he was then able to walk on water beside Jesus. (Matthew 14:22-33) Psalm 46:10 also reminds us to “Be still and know that I am God.” According to these words, we must first be still in order to know God. That means putting aside all the tasks and distractions in our lives and simply sitting in His presence, just like Mary did. Once we look to Jesus first, then everything else will fall into place. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Luke 10:41-42 says, “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” |
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