BE GENTLE... Sunday

Devotional for 7/19/15

Sometimes we are not very gentle with people.  If others have harmed us in some way, we can become angry with them.  Bitterness can turn into resentment, and we can lose perspective in a cycle of blame and antagonism. It becomes nearly impossible to be compassionate and deal lovingly with them.

There are also times when we are not very gentle with ourselves.  We can become angry with ourselves because of our own words or actions.  Bitterness and resentment turned inward can become guilt, shame and self-loathing. This can lead to low self esteem, or depression, or seeking ways to numb our feelings. It becomes very difficult to deal with ourselves with kindness and mercy.

We have the perfect example of merciful forgiveness in our Lord, Jesus Christ, who offers forgiveness to everyone freely, even though none deserve it. When we are unforgiving of someone who harmed us, we hurt ourselves worse than them.  Forgiveness does not mean condoning what they did.  It simply means we realize they are sinful but we can be ready to forgive them.  We release our own hearts of the chains of holding a grudge - the heaviest weight in the universe!  And when we become humbly self-aware of the damage caused by anger turned inward toward ourselves for things we have done, we can learn to be gentle with ourselves.  We can acknowledge that we too are sinful as well as forgiven.  God is merciful and forgiving to all, regardless of the offense.  So in humility and mercy, be gentle - with others and with yourself - just as God has been with all of us. 

"But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips... Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."  Col 3:8, 12-14 (NIV)

Dear Father in heaven, we thank you for your understanding and forgiveness, in spite of our repeated wrong doings.  Please also forgive our unforgiveness. Help us to be gentle with ourselves and with others as we try to mirror your goodness and mercy.  Fill us with your Spirit as we reach out beyond our normal abilities to not only forgive but to improve and build up others as well as ourselves.  May we bring you glory in all these things.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

written by Jan Andersen