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

Several years ago there was a popular show on TV called “19 Kids and Counting,” a story about the Duggars, a Christian family with (guess how many kids???) 19 kids! Several years ago I caught an interview on TV with the family and I will never forget what one of the daughters said about her mom. She said (this is not verbatim) her mom was one of the most patient people she’d met. She had never witnessed her yelling, but always witnessed her mother’s gentle, but firm, correction.

The affirmation of Mrs. Duggars gentleness was a profound example to me of how I can live my life with my children and husband, but especially my children. While I firmly believe it is not a spiritual gift, the vast majority of children do have a “gift” for knowing just the right buttons to press to get their parents to their boiling point. For you maybe it’s your co-worker, your spouse, or a friend. Whoever it is, through the Holy Spirit’s power living in us we do have the ability to maintain our self-control and speak and act gently in exasperating situations.

Proverbs 15:1 states that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger, ” (NIV). And Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” It may be a lifelong process, but through the power of the Holy Spirit we do have the ability to tame our tongues. It is a daily prayer of mine. I shall pray it over you today as well friend.

God bless!

Noree Wegmeyer

Photo Credit: https://www.freeimages.com/photo/butterfly-13-1176576