Sunday, October 27, 2013

a quiet and gentle spirit

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

I was never good at that: quiet and gentle.  I was always more loud, outspoken, and forceful.  I thought those were good things.  Honest, authentic, expressive, that's good, right?  Action is good, right?  How will anyone know what is right if they are not instructed?  How is anything going to get done if I don't take action? How is the Kingdom supposed to advance if I don't push it?

Honestly, I did not see the problem.  Now I do.

A quiet spirit is one who trusts God.  A gentle spirit is one who respects others.  I don't need to straighten everyone else out, that's God's job.  I don't need to force things, even God does not do that.  Jesus is gentle, He works things gently so that they are redeemed for good.

Not only out in the world, but in my home, with my husband, with my adult daughters, I can have a quiet and gentle spirit, trusting the all knowing, all powerful, all loving God to work things out in their lives. And in my life with them.

When I am not doing this I am anxious, wrought up.  I am worried, trying to manipulate and control the situation.  When I let God handle it, I have peace, and my nature is charming.  I am beautiful in an unfading and incorruptible way. 

That's what I want to be.  Beautiful.  Like that.

Father keep reminding me to let You be God.  Help me to have this quiet and gentle spirit.  And I will give YOU all the glory because it is certainly not me!

But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God. (Amplified)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is so true. If I just trust God to handle everything, then I don't need to try so hard to make everything go my way. I so need to remember this daily, hourly and yes every minute....Thank you.