"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."--Titus 3:1-2
"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."--Colossians 3:12-13
In this day and age and in our culture these things are thought to be archaic beliefs. Rebelling is cool, selfishness is condoned, gossip is rampant, being tough and brutally honest is a quality, and being a b**ch is encouraged. I see quotes on Pinterest and Tumblr all the time and see statuses on Facebook and hear people constantly reinforcing the idea that "we need to accept ourselves for who we are and if you can't handle it then you're not worth my time our trouble." This thinking seems to be most prevalent amongst girls, and very often amongst Christians and it makes my heart so very sad. I wish that people saw the value in having a quiet and gentle spirit, "but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."--1 Peter 3:4 And the importance of putting others before yourself, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."--Philippians 2:3 And that building people up with encouragement and kindness is of far greater worth than speaking every thought that comes into your head, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue"--Proverbs 31:6 That words are powerful. That can sting and wound or they can build up some one's confidence & give them hope, "A gentle statement is a tree of life, but perverted speech shatters the spirit."--Proverbs 15:4 "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."--Proverbs 18:21 I wish that girls saw the virtue in gentility and kindness. I wish that they saw that strength in character is found in thinking of yourself less. That while it is important to acknowledge your individuality and that you are of value, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him"--Genesis 1:27 always know that you can be better. Know your worth while constantly being aware that you can always love more, give more, feel more, become softer, gentler, kinder, humbler.
Don't settle for yourself as you are. You are doing yourself a disservice by being satisfied with who you are now. Because, “God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way”--Leighton Ford. So, why should you be content to stay that way? Rest in the knowledge that by God's grace he will make us more lovely.We will grow in love, humility, kindness, and gentility.
"I do not understand the mystery of grace--only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us."--Anne Lamott
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