Is it just me or do people seem to be getting harsher?

It’s not uncommon to see people lash out at others online, on the news, or even in your own home!

That’s why gentleness can seem strangely out of place.

And welcome.

Gentleness is one of the characteristics God grows in his people. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, GENTLENESS and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Sure, Love, Joy, and Peace get more attention in our mind’s eye. Even though Gentleness sometimes gets relegated to the back row, he’s still there, and he still matters.

Gentleness is not about weakness; it’s not about being trampled on; and it’s not about saying you’re wrong when you’re actually right.

It’s about being confident in who you are: a child of God made alive in Christ. And when you’re firmly rooted in that un-budging truth, you don’t feel the non-stop need to be louder and better. Why not? Because you’re already secure and confident, and you don’t have to prove anything to anybody.

Arrogance flows from insecurity. Gentleness flows from security.

So be confident in who you are: a child of God made alive in Christ.

In a harsh world of volume and vanity, gentleness is a gift to weary souls.

By Matthew Ruttan