When contemplating my next blog post, “gentleness” resonated with me. As I soon discovered, it’s a concept that is universally acknowledged as a need in our world today.
What is gentleness?
Gentleness is a strength, a strength of character. It encompassesmany parts of our personality, such as humility (having a quiet ego, being down to earth), forgiveness (being quick to let things go) and kindness (having a soft and supportive demeanour). Dr. Ryan M. Niemiec says that perhaps gentleness is the ultimate “other-oriented strength”.
Gentleness and Others
When we are gentle towards others, we show them love and respect and lay the foundation for stronger relationships. We can communicate more effectively in a safe and trusting environment and resolve conflict more quickly.
It’s easy to feel like “tender” people should toughen up. This way of thinking will not foster closer relationships with people, and some of this behaviour may seem abusive to others. People are drawn to kindness and understanding.
Gentle people intentionally avoid causing other people distress.
Gentleness and Ourselves
When we are gentle to ourselves, we don’t strive for perfection. We do the best we can in any situation. Some days all we can do is get through the day, and that’s okay.
To be gentle to ourselves, we need to know ourselves. What priorities do we have? What things should we say “no” to? It is essential to take care of ourselves in a way that is unique to who we are. We should focus on the people and things that are important to us and make time for ourselves to enjoy who we are
We can be gentle to ourselves through our interactions with others. When provoked, reacting with gentleness keeps our mind at peace and prevents the unsettledness of anger and resentment.
Gentleness and Nature
Nature gives to every time and season
some beauties of its own;
and from morning to night,
as from cradle to the grave,
it is a succession of changes
so gentle and easy that
we scarcely mark their progress.
~ Charles Dickens
May we strive to calmly “go with the flow”.
Faith Notes
Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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.”
Jesus showed us how a life can be lived with kindness, tenderness, compassion, humility and purpose.
Gentleness begins with how we feel about ourselves. When we follow Jesus, “Our worth comes from who we are in Christ. We are loved by Him, we are redeemed, we are His children for whom he gave His life so that we can be reconciled to the Father. That is how God sees us, worthy of the greatest sacrifice. And that is how we should view ourselves too, through the eyes of our Lord.”~ taken from Faithfood.blog. https://faithfood.blog/2023/03/31/finding-your-worth-in-christ/#:~:text=Our%20worth%20comes%20from%20who,the%20eyes%20of%20our%20Lord.
My Tapestry Blog 