Daily devotional, March 18, 2024 Voice of Calm
"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." Colossians 4:6
Boxing matches are always exciting. It always prods the audience to shout, and punch in the air. Like any sporting event, it elicits cheers and jeers, and sends the audience in the corner of their seats ready to jump for joy, or stand up to question a referee’s call.
As followers of Jesus though, the opposite is expected of us as we go through life. We have to be a voice of calm and gentleness. The voice of reason in any conversation.
"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
James 1:19-20
Even in times of stress, like when having a long discussion with someone, the bible call us to choose to be meek. St. Paul the Apostle gave this advice to Timothy, who was then a young pastor.
"And the Lord's servantmust not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,correcting his opponents with gentleness."
2 Timothy 2:24-25
St. Paul the Apostle also mentioned that even those who are caught violating commands should be treated with gentleness:
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." Galatians 6:1
While being gentle at all times can be very challenging, the bible offers sound advice on how to carry out such an attitude, and be consistent. That although we have the choice to get mad, and get even, we should choose to be the humble person, because we want to grow in Christ-likeness.
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Colossians 3:12-13.
When we find it difficult to be the voice of calm, let us remind ourselves that it is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is calling us to be gentle always. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus was quoted encouraging those who are heavily burdened and are endlessly relying on themselves to lean on Him and follow His lead on being humble, because only through doing this will they find real peace.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Matthew 11:28
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Colossians 3:12-15 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you a voice of calm during stressful times?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the best example of gentleness. Give us the capacity to walk in your path my Lord so that we could follow your example of gentleness and grow in Christ-likeness. Amen.
