Journal Entry ~ 09/19/19

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23

When I think of gentleness, I think of the song "It Is Well with My Soul."  Gentleness is an inward calmness and a peace with God. We achieve gentleness when we completely surrender to God's will and His way in our life. It is simply not achievable without the grace of Holy Spirit washing over us. 

I just love the moments when I feel this sense of gentleness in my soul....when I can see the storm raging, but I know with confidence that He is at work, and my heart is at peace. This is an attribute of the Holy Spirit For which I am particularly grateful, and it is the first one I truly remember experiencing. It is that inexplicable calmness or peace when chaos swarms around me, and the confidence that He is with me and He is sovereign over everything.  

In order to allow the Holy Spirit to fill our souls with gentleness, we not only need to stop fighting God's plan and submit our will for His will, we need to confess our desire to take control. We need to humble ourselves, choosing not to be prideful or arrogant, or demanding our way, and ask for forgiveness. When we have a gentle heart, we are obedient to what we are taught, regardless of who God chooses as our instructor or what God chooses to instruct. 

When we have truly surrendered our will to God’s plan, a gentleness takes over our heart and impacts our interactions with others. When we trust that He is in control, that He is working in the hearts of those around us at His pace and not ours, when we understand the gift of grace and mercy that He so freely gives to us, it is easier to extend grace and mercy to those difficult people in our lives. 


Press on, ladies ~ you are loved 💗

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