Scripture: Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
Thought for the Day: Is this a threat or a source of encouragement? You could read it either way. You better be gentle because God is watching -or- You will be able to act with gentleness because God, the gentle One, is near. I prefer the latter. It would be difficult to truly act with gentleness if the only reason you were doing so was because you feared violent repercussions. Like a parent, God doesn’t teach us to stop hitting by hitting us. Threat of pain rarely creates a gentleness of spirit, and even when it does, it is short lived.
Prayer: Gracious God, pour over my life a spirit of love that brings contentment and produces gentleness. Amen.
