by Janis Bolick
As we are spending time seeking to know more about the fruit of the Spirit, it is good to remember the gentleness of our heavenly Father. After all, we deserve His wrath, yet by His sacrifice, we can be assured of His love. (Romans 5:8) We continuously reject Him but He gently carries us in His arms! (Isaiah 40:11)
I don’t know about you, but for me sometimes gentleness is hard. We tend to live in our flesh and when someone is frustrating me….well I might just lose my gentleness. Yet Jesus calls us to be like Him. The Spirit of Jesus who lives inside us teaches us how to be gentle, yet the irritation of our flesh can completely distract us from hearing the Spirit’s teaching.
The ministry of Jesus overflowed with such a spirit of caring and gentleness for the very people who would eventually torture and crucify Him. Still we often struggle to simply be kind to someone who irritates us in some way.
On Monday, February 27th, my father suddenly passed away. Daddy was such a gentle man and I have so many fond memories of him guiding me through decisions and heartaches with wisdom and gentleness. One of his favorite passages comes from John 14 verses 1-3.
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a place for you. If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.”
John 14:1-3, CSB
There is such gentleness in what Jesus says. Right now my heart is heavy and I am sad because I miss my dad. But because of Jesus, I know that Daddy is not sad and that I will see him in eternity. Until that day comes, I pray that I will allow the Holy Spirit to teach me His gentleness and that my life will reflect the gentleness of both my earthly father and my heavenly Father. I pray that for you as well!
Abba, Father, Thank You for the unbelievable gift of Your Spirit that we have received through Jesus. Thank you for treating us gently when we so often ignore and mistreat You and each other. Jesus, thank you for showing us how to be gentle and for being our perfect example. Spirit, teach us how to show gentleness to others and help us to grow to be more and more like Jesus. Amen
Enough for Today 
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