When someone proclaims that a new source of personal power is
available, it usually gets our attention. When we are told we need
to learn to be more gentle, we yawn and move on. So I want to talk
about a source of power that can bring you incredible results
(insert smiley-face emoticon here).
The surprise is that this source is gentleness. For most of us,
that goes against everything we’ve been taught. After all, we’ve
been raised in a culture that stresses climb the ladder at any
cost, watch your back, it’s a dog eat dog world, etc., etc. But we
would do well to remember Lily Tomlin’s great observation:
”
Even if you win the rat race, you’re still a rat.
”
When someone proclaims that a new source of personal power is available, it usually gets our attention. When we are told we need to learn to be more gentle, we yawn and move on. So I want to talk about a source of power that can bring you incredible results (insert smiley-face emoticon here).
The surprise is that this source is gentleness. For most of us, that goes against everything we’ve been taught. After all, we’ve been raised in a culture that stresses climb the ladder at any cost, watch your back, it’s a dog eat dog world, etc., etc. But we would do well to remember Lily Tomlin’s great observation: “Even if you win the rat race, you’re still a rat.”
Broaden your horizons and consider a notion that is way outside the box: gentleness brings power.
Gentleness is a force that can create positive change in you, your family, your job and all your relationships. Using the word “power” as an acrostic, we began last week considering five characteristics that can give you the power to achieve your maximum potential. Last week we looked at the “P” ( personality, which, while uniquely our own, must be surrendered to God) and the “O” (our outlook, which needs to be from a godly perspective because of its profound influence upon both our attitude and our actions).
The “W” stands for words. We must bring the way we speak under God’s control. This is no small challenge. James 3:8 says “no human being can tame the tongue.” Only God can change our words, and He does it by changing our hearts.
Jesus said, “Whatever is in the heart overflows into speech” (Luke 6:45). What do you spend your time talking about? The answer to that question will give you a clear indication of where your heart is. Do you need to make any changes in this area?
The “E” in our acrostic stands for expectations. When someone disappoints you, are you gentle… or judgmental? The Bible tells us that Jesus did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. This truth is perfectly illustrated in the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). The boy trashed his life and eventually reaped what he had sown: he ended up homeless and starving. He decided to go home and beg for mercy, all the time expecting condemnation. But when he got home he received love instead of the hammer. His father (who represents God in the story) poured out blessing after blessing on his child. Why? Because God is in the business of building us up, not tearing us down. And He wants you and I in same business!
The final letter in our acrostic (“R”) stands for response. Gentle people are proactive, not reactive.
A proactive person is someone who is in control of the way she responds to life. A proactive person responds to a situation according to her values, not the circumstances around her.
A reactive person, on the other hand, is controlled by other people and circumstances. He lets the worst in people and situations control his response because he is driven by feelings instead of intrinsic values. Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his own spirit, than he who captures a city.”
You may be asking yourself, “How do I become proactive?” It’s so natural to be reactive; we’ve been doing it all our lives. Where do we get the wisdom to respond appropriately? James 3:17 has the answer: “The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere.”
James is simply saying that the wisdom to respond appropriately comes from God. And notice that he says this wisdom is “first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness.” If you truly want to learn how to respond to life’s ups and downs, start by responding to God’s invitation to establish a relationship with Him through faith in His Son, Christ Jesus.
