Strength Under Control: A Toddler and a Newborn Baby

A tiny, yet mighty cry greeted me each time my three children came into this world. Their first cries are ingrained in my memory as the most beautiful sounds on earth. Becoming a mother is indescribable. The nurses place this tiny, helpless baby on your chest and suddenly absolutely NOTHING else matters. When we brought our daughter home we already had two energetic little boys. My oldest can be especially excitable and loud. As soon as his daddy put his newborn baby sister into his lap, my four year old toddler had an expression on his face I’ll never forget. Complete awe, love, and total gentleness.

Strength Under Control

The biblical definition of gentleness is “sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior founded on strength and prompted by love.” Gentleness Meaning – Bible Definition and References

Gentleness is strength under control. My sons are very strong, loud, and energetic, just as little boys should be. But when they held Remington for the first time, they loved her so much they calmed their strength, and were so gentle and careful.

What about in the Bible?

In the Bible we have so many examples and verses of how gentleness should shape our lives. One of the biggest reasons is in 2 Timothy 2:25. “Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,” If we instruct others who do not know Christ with gentleness we have a much better chance of leading them to repentance. This is what every believer should strive for. Also, in 1 Peter 3:15 Peter says, “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” We should always be ready to answer gently and respectfully. This spirit of gentleness is also very important to have when dealing with your fellow Christians. Galatians 6:1 reminds us that we need to restore our brothers and sisters caught in sin GENTLY. The devil loves nothing more than when we run in with our self-righteous attitudes ready to cut everyone off, like we’ve never sinned ourselves.

A Spirit of Gentleness

As a mother, I am constantly reminding myself, and my children, of how much our words and the way we say them can affect things. Proverbs 15:1 says, “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Gentle words have so much power. Power to heal hurting souls, to change hard hearts, to express love and kindness. May we always strive to be Christians who are known by our gentleness.