Day 066 of 90 · Relationships
Gentleness Is Strength Too
12–15 minutes
Center · Stillness
Settle in
Put the phone down. Take one slow breath, and say: “God, I am here. Speak, I am listening.”
Read · The passage
Scripture
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9, BSB
Learn · Reflection
Reflection
Being gentle does not make a person less strong. Very often it takes more maturity and self-control to treat others with patience and respect. God can help you grow a heart that is sensitive, humble and kind, even in a world where many people answer with harshness.
Keanu Reeves is known for treating people with simplicity and respect, even though he is very famous. Over the years, many stories have shown how he tends to listen, to help and to act with kindness, even in situations where nobody expected it.
Although he has lived through hard moments in his personal life, many people point to the calm, respectful way he treats others.
Sometimes the world makes us think that being strong means being hard, cold or proud. But real strength often shows up in people who choose to treat others with respect, even when they could act another way.
Gentleness is not a sign of weakness.
It takes empathy, humility and maturity to answer with respect, patience and kindness in all kinds of situations.
God also wants to shape that kind of strength in our hearts: a strength that does not hurt people in order to feel important, but learns to carry peace, care and hope to everyone around.
Talk · Conversation
Talk about it
Where have you been confusing being strong with being hard on people?
Thank · Gratitude
Give thanks
Today I thank God for someone who could have been harsh with me and chose gentleness instead.
Ask · Prayer
Pray together
God, give me self-control to answer calmly when someone tries to provoke me. Make me a person who carries peace wherever I go.
Begin · Application
Carry it into the day
Today, the first time someone is rough with you, take a breath and answer with respect instead of hitting back.
Scripture quoted from the Berean Standard Bible. Public domain (CC0)