Thursday, August 15, 2024

Gentle, Real Strength

 


Gratitude Year 12- Day 228: Today, I am grateful for real strength.

"Nothing is so strong as gentleness, and nothing so gentle as real strength. 

This quote resonates with a great truth. You witness it often in nature. 

You see it when giant animals form relationships with tiny humans. You see it when giant humans rescue tiny animals. 

When a man holds his tiny little baby for the first time with tenderness, there is nothing as gentle and strong as that kind of love. 

When a spouse gently holds the hand of the one they have loved and treasured for decades and watches them take their last earthly breath, it requires a gentle strength to let them go and press on. That is real strength. 

There is a gentle strength in refusing to engage an argument, especially if it is one you can win. That is strong gentleness and real strength. Self-control is a way of expressing real strength. 

In the sermon on the mount Jesus said:  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." -Matthew 5:5 - 

Some translations use the word humble instead of meek. Others use the phrase, "the gentle ones." I like reading it in many translations for greater understanding. 

A pastor once used the illustration of a young stallion. Wild and strong when it runs free, but when the animal comes into relationship with the right human, a bond is formed. The horse does not lose strength by submitting to a relationship with the human. In fact, the God given strength finds a purpose. Natural gifts become more usable because of the relationship. 

Meek is not weak. To be humble and gentle is a way we can reflect Christ's image.

Today, I am grateful for real strength.


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