Gentleness-A Lifestyle

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

It is a journey in the middle of crisis or distress to simply begin to rejoice in the Lord. However, once it is begun then several other items begin to unfold.

A side-note: in Spiritual matters, often only one instruction is given without any other steps following. When that is begun, then other instructions unfold that were hidden by step one. In this case, the entire process is outlined for us, but only be empowered as each portion is begun. Many times we try to begin in verse 8 - "think on these things," but find it impossible to move the mind to those things. This is because there is a process involved in moving the thought processes at any time, especially when in distress, crisis or a barrage of negative and unproductive thoughts. We find ourselves at times in the middle of these things afloat on a sea of doubt and fear. The answer is to begin to rejoice in Him!

Now back to our present passage. "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near." The attitude shift that occurs in the rejoicing in His person, produces an awareness that gentleness is a way of life and developed in relationship in Jesus. The word "gentleness" in this translation (and many others) has a myriad of means in the Greek. It can mean gentle, mild, forbearing, fair, reasonable, moderate or several similar words. The overall thought is one of a lack of stubbornness and instead, an open willing heart toward the Lord and toward others. This is not a lack of firmness, nor a lack of conviction, but simply a pliable heart in serving others. This is to be our heart's life-style.

Then the encouragement to remember that the Lord is near. This can mean either He is always present with us, for He is. Or it can have the future idea - He will come soon. Either meaning is appropriate. It is just a calling into remembrance His person and a purposeful interaction in His heart. Again the mind is turned to Him.

As in all things related to the Lord Jesus, each simple matter begins to reveal a host of more complex matters, but as we obediently follow - each matter is empowered and a movement in us that is supernatural begins to occur. We have an awesome God who embraces us in His own heart. What love and what knowledge of the ways of humanity He reveals. We can trust Him with us.