8/23/2015

DevotionsProverbs31MinistriesDevotions

A Gentle Breeze or a Sledge Hammer

Melanie Chitwood

October 9, 2007

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Gentleness is part of being feminine part of being a woman, and God made us distinctly different from
men on purpose! God wants us to bring our gentleness to our marriages, to love our husbands with the
tender love of God. Our tenderness woos our husbands and allows them to be vulnerable in return.
We can show our husbands gentleness in many waysa soft touch, a sweet smile, a kind deed, and a
caring tone of voice. We show gentleness when we are considerate, patient, understanding, forgiving
and not easily offended or irritated.
Think about the opposite of gentleharsh, pushy, insistent, demanding, caustic, and argumentative. Are
you more likely to respond to your husband in gentleness or harshness?
Sometimes I think we fear being gentle because we fear well appear weak or vulnerable. We see in
Scripture that God is both a mighty warrior and a tender Shepherd. In Isaiah 40:10 and 11 we read, See,
the Sovereign LORD comes with power He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his
arms and carries them close to his heart (NIV). In the same way a woman can be both gentle toward her
husband and strong. Consider the ways of a mother with her child; she is the one who scoops her child
into her arms and hugs him tighter than tight, and shes also the one who is fiercely protective of her
childs well-being.
As I was discussing the idea of a wife being gentle, an acquaintance shook his head and said, My wife
makes me think of the blows of a sledge hammer. Theres nothing gentle about her. Shes like a run-away
bus and you just better get out of her way.
Lets practice the application steps below. Lets watch our marriages flourish as we practice being more
like the caress of a gentle breeze rather than the blows of a sledge hammer.
Dear Lord, Thank You, Heavenly Father, that You are both a mighty Warrior and a tender Shepherd. Help
me to be a wife who is both strong and gentle. Fill me with Your Spirit and make me gentle like You. In
Jesus Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
For more on marriage issues visit the Growthtrac website
Do you know Him?
Application Steps:
Enjoy Gods quiet presence and tender love.
Dont let harshness become a bad habit. Begin to replace it with gentleness.
Practice patience.
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DevotionsProverbs31MinistriesDevotions

Refrain from interrupting, correcting or nagging your husband.

Think before you speak. Do you really need to say what youre about to say?
Spend time with friends or family who have a gentle spirit and observe.
Reflections:
How do you think being gentle helps your marriage? How does harshness hinder your marriage?
Do you have any fears about being gentle toward your husband? Be honest before the Lord and ask Him
to give you His gentleness.
Power Verses:
Proverbs 15: 1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (NAS)
Matthew 11:29, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls.(NIV)
Categories: Marriage, Relationships, Spiritual Growth

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