How would you fill in the blanks of this quote?
“Nothing is so strong as _______________,
Nothing so _______________ as real strength.”
–St. Frances de Sales (1567-1622)
Possibilities include:
- Discipline / disciplined
- Gentleness / gentle
- Steadfastness / steadfast
According to de Sales, the answer is 2.
Yet gentleness is not a trait that readily comes to mind when we hear the word strength. We’re more likely to describe the strong person as self-confident, self-reliant, and assertive.
But consider which of the following actions requires more fortitude:
- Defending one’s own rights or deferring to another’s?
- Airing one’s views or actively listening to understand someone else’s?
- Tackling the personal to-do list or taking time to help another person with theirs?
Gentleness includes consideration, kindness, and grace. It is genial, not demanding its own way, and it refuses to manipulate people or circumstances. Neither is it easily threatened, offended, or angered. Gentleness requires humility, maturity, and self-control.
Most of us do not gravitate toward such habits on our own. It takes strength to become gentle—strength that begins with God, as we learn to relax in his sovereignty over all things (Psalm 145:13), and count on him to work in his way (Proverbs 16:4a), in his time (Acts 1:7).
Gentleness begins to grow in our spirits as we:
- Become acquainted with the One who personifies gentleness–Jesus (Matthew 11:29)
- Choose to be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18), which improves our perspective and calms our spirits
- Refuse to complain or grumble (Philippians 2:14)
- Desire to be molded by God and patterned after his purpose (Ephesians 2:10)
- Affirm trust in his reliability and endless resources (Psalm 62:5-8)
- Practice his presence (Exodus 33:14) through continual, prayerful connection
And the result? “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5 NASB, emphasis added).
Or, as Max Lucado interprets the verse, “Blessed are those who acknowledge that there is only one God and have quit applying for his position.” *
That inheritance Jesus promised includes joyful contentment in God’s provision and pleasure in the simple things of life, the delight of blessing others and celebrating their successes.
My grandmother was just such a person.
Before she turned forty, Grandma lost a young sister, a toddler son, and her husband. During the depression she kept the mortgage paid and her family clothed and fed by baking all night, then catching a bit of sleep while the three children were at school. Yet Grandma’s strong faith in God never wavered. (You can read more about this amazing woman in another post, The God of Rachel, Henry, and Clara, Part 1).
I never heard Grandma raise her voice or speak unkindly. What I do remember is hearing her humming along with the hymns on the radio as she worked in the kitchen.
She spent much of her time serving others, beginning with family. When Grandma stayed with us, she mended and hemmed our clothes, helped turn the apples from our tree into applesauce for the freezer, and braided old woolens into small rugs to place in front of our doors.
Grandma was gracious with praise and gratitude. One time I noticed tiny aphids on her prized African violets. You’d think I’d saved the neighborhood from a locust invasion. “Well aren’t you my Little Bunny Bright-Eyes!” Grandma cried, and hugged me tight. “I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn’t been here. Thank you!”
Later in life she developed neuralgia in her right cheek. The slightest breeze could cause an agonizing bout of pain. Grandma would grimace and gasp as her hand flew to her face. But she did not complain.
In these ways and many more Grandma Rachel proved that the strong of faith are also gentle of spirit.
* * * * * * * * * *
O God, I know the quality of gentleness is precious to you, and I want to cultivate a life that brings you honor and pleasure. Keep me mindful of your empowering presence so that your gentle spirit of grace, kindness, and goodness will flow through me to others.
(1 Peter 3:4; Psalm 147:11; Isaiah 40:11; Galatians 5:22-23)
Who provided an example of gentle strength in your life? Tell us about them in the comment section below!
* Grace for the Moment, Thomas Nelson, 2000, p. 277.
Photo credits: http://www.needpix.com (2); http://www.heartlight.org (3); dailyverses.net (2).
From the Inside Out 
I have the same memories of Grandma Rachel. Loved reading about her.
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I hope I have my facts straight! I love that you and I have in common many memories of Grandma and our admiration of her.
What a strong, gracious grandmother you have!
I love the Max Lucado quote. 😉
Strong and gracious she was, SDP. I loved that Max Lucado quote too when I came across it. He’s such a gifted wordsmith!
Great post Nancy. I especially like how you bring out that gentleness comes from God’s strength. That really is the only way. I also love the testimony about your grandma. What a legacy!
Indeed, she left a memorable legacy for all of us nine cousins. Now it’s my turn to reach for excellence and provide such a legacy for our granddaughters. Thus the prayer! 🙂
Yes!
Thank you, Mitch, for your input that helped me with the fine-tuning!
Amen to your prayer! I suppose that when we get bumped we spill what’s inside. I desire more of Jesus’ gentleness to be what’s inside me… Thank you so much for this, post, dear Nancy!!!!
Praise God for his inspiration, Heidi. And amen to more of Jesus’ gentleness within, so that’s what spills out. Thank you for the great visual!
I loved that post Nancy! It is especially appropriate these days as gentleness is considered a weakness by some. Jesus was gentle and kind with all with the exception of the money changers. Thank you!
Thank you, Samuel. Praise God for the gentle souls who demonstrate Jesus’ character–even when it’s not valued by some!
PS: My father provided a great example of Colossians 3:12. He was a picture of gentleness, kindness, compassion, humility and patience. I can still picture him after reading this note…thanks again for posting your thoughts and scripture.
You’re welcome, Samuel. I can say the same about my dad too. He was Grandma Rachel’s youngest. The apple did not fall far from the tree in his case!
Amen, Nancy. Grandma Rachel was strength personified. Sweet lady, just like her granddaughter, Nancy 🙂
Aw, thank you so much, Bill! You just made my day–my week! 🙂
How blessed you and your cousins are that your Grandma was so present in your lives! My Mom’s mother died when Mom was ten; My Dad’s mom when I was five. Even so I have wonderful memories of Grandma Gottfried’s gentleness and love towards me whenever we stayed with them; the way she sang hymns on Sundays, her picking berries with me and letting me choose a treat from the bread truck. In our short time together she made a real impression on me. (I have so much respect for those who came over from Europe, learned our language, and respected America’s values. It was a hard life, I’m sure. All but the last of her seven babies were born at home.) I pray that I exhibit a gentle spirit towards my nieces and nephews. I keep in mind that God is always watching how I interact with people.Thanks for sharing your precious memories with us! And the insight that it takes strength to be gentle, as well as awareness and faithfulness.
Cheri, you were already exhibiting a gentle spirit when you were in college! I was a witness to that. And over the years as you’ve participated in a multitude of niece-and-nephew activities, you have indeed kept alive the gentle spirit within you–displayed in kindness, attention, prayer, and more! Yes, God is always watching–and smiling upon his sweet daughter, Cheri!
Nancy, thanks so very much for the wonderful comment. Knowing that the behavior I’ve always striven for was evident way back when is so encouraging!
You are more than welcome, my friend!
Hi Nancy,
Meekness means strength under control as a mighty horse submitting to the master at the reigns. Great timing in our times where gentleness is thought week. But connecting and caring for people Jesus gets to work. Always great to hear from you. Have a great summer.
Love that idea, Gary: as we connect with people and care for them (with gentleness!), Jesus gets to work. And what a privilege is ours, to be part of the process!
What a great quote and tribute to your grandma. I have a good friend who is a retired priest that I would describe as a gentle and strong. Lovely post, Nancy!
Thank you, Jean!