Gentleness
Today I read a little about what God finds beautiful.
It’s a kind of beauty that the Bible says is of great worth in God’s sight.
It’s a kind of beauty that does not wither, does not seduce, and is not vain.
It is a beauty of spirit, a beauty of soul.
It is gentleness.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment … it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,” 1 Peter 3:4
I thought about this for a while. That God looks at the inner us, the hidden person. He sees our thoughts and hears our words, even the unspoken ones.
And when He looks, does He see that spirit of gentleness? That disposition that is peaceful before Him, tender, soft?
Lord, that we may be instruments of Your peace, that we may be balm to those around us, tender and soothing.
That we may be beautiful in Your sight and “have a walk worthy of the calling … with all lowliness and gentleness” Ephesians 4:1.
Photo by Birgit Whelan, Kiel, Germany
birgitwhelan.com 
““Your beauty should not come from outward adornment … it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,”
I have a hard time with this. Sometimes I enjoy confrontation. Sometimes I feed off the adrenaline rush. It is something I need to work on.
i don’t think being gentle means never speaking up, TT…
Hi TT, hi alece, you make a good point about gentleness and confrontation. I think Jesus was an amazing example of this, completely gentle and meek and yet He said things as they were, definitely confronting people at times. The thing was though, from what I can see, He always did it from a heart of meekness, gentle but not afraid to confront when He had to.
Where did you take this picture, Birgit? If you say New Zealand again, I think I need to emigrate.
I’ve always had a hard time with gentleness for it seemed to be weakness and I wanted to appear strong. Then I learned the meaning comes from the picture of a bridled horse. The power of a horse is controlled, not at all weak, but purposeful.
“Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and
self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will.”
Thanks again, Birgit!
Hi Michelle, you would LOVE NZ if you ever get to visit, it’s so beautiful :), but no, this photo was taken in the very north of Germany where my Grandmother lives. The beach scene below is one from home though :).
I was thinking a lot today about what you just highlighted in your comment, the way that gentleness can so often be thought of as ‘weakness,’ especially when it seems that forcefulness of personality is often seen as ‘strength.’ God has completely changed my understanding. I now understand true strength as the way you described. Humility, temperateness and self control require so much more strength, true strength, and only really possible I think, by God’s Spirit empowering us.
You hit the nail on the head…..again. ;) “Humility, temperateness and self control require so much more strength, true strength, and only really possible I think, by God’s Spirit empowering us.”
Sometimes I find myself having to be strong when taking those thoughts captive that shouldn’t be getting in, or when someone is just so off in their thinking….but it’s true that humility and teperateness always need to be a part of that. Praying to and in the Holy Spirit is key. He is our helper in every situation. :)
Hi Debs, yeah that’s a great example, disciplining thoughts so that they always honour God. That really does call for strength, and your point is so good, that praying to the Holy Spirit is the key. Love and blessings to you today :)
It’s interesting that a lot of comments on gentleness refer in the same breath to weakness – guess it is how we personally perceive gentleness. The dictionary states ‘mild, quiet, not rough or severe, courteous, noble, well-born!!
Yes, I think we do think gentleness as weakness. I know I have. Like those wives who overly submit to their husband to the point they have no voice or opinion. I have seen that as weakness and as gentleness. Like I thought that was what God referred to as gentle. But now I think of gentle as being wise. Knowing when to say what needs to be said and knowing when to keep it to yourself.
I love the picture above also… this is beautiful…
Hi Aunty Lorraine, thanks for this definition. Some really nice attributes there – “not rough or severe” “courteous” “noble” – I really like those! Yeah, it’s interesting the different ways we understand ‘gentleness,’ lots of love XO
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Hi Anna, it’s great to see you, welcome. Wow, I like that idea of gentleness showing wisdom. Also that self control is part of being gentle too. Thanks for this.
Brigit,
This is such a beautiful reminder.
Thank you SO much for posting….and
KEEP writing!!
in Him
Storie
I just noticed that my fingers were quicker than my brain!
BIRGIT….
ugghhh….
Hi Storie, thank you so much, thanks for your encouragement, love and blessings :)
So tender. Just like God. It’s neat reading Him work through you. Blessings,
R
Thank you so much Rox, really encouraging, thank you, God bless :).