| A Gentle Response Shows Your Love |
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| By Rick Warren — Oct 17, 2015 |
“Husbands, love your wives and be gentle with them.” (Colossians 3:19 NCV)
Gentleness diffuses conflict. It disarms critics. It’s persuasive. It’s attractive. And gentleness communicates love.
Guys, if you’re married, the quickest way to improve your marriage is to start talking to your wife more gently. It’ll do wonders! Colossians 3:19 says, “Husbands, love your wives and be gentle with them” (NCV). Any fool can be selfish. Any fool can be rough. Any fool can be rude. But gentle men are gentlemen.
A great marriage is simply the union of two great forgivers, because you’re going to hurt each other a lot in life. I’ve been married to Kay for nearly 40 years. I’ve hurt her so many times, and she’s hurt me so many times. But we’re both great forgivers. That’s a part of gentleness.
Gentleness is not only the key to effective marriage; it’s also the key to effective parenting. Never discipline out of anger or frustration, but always gently and out of love. The Bible says in Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger … but rear them tenderly in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord” (AMP).
I can honestly say to you that I never remember my father raising his voice against me growing up. Was he ever upset with me? Of course. Did I ever really blow it and give him every reason to be angry? Many, many times. Almost on a daily basis! But he was a gentle man. He had strength under control, and he would not yell at me. He showed me his love through his gentle nature.
Let your gentle response do the same in your relationships.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick>>
Talk It Over
- Make it a point to respond in gentleness to your spouse and children this week. What difference does it make?
- How does gentleness communicate love to someone? What does it say to that person when you choose to respond gently?
- Is it important to you to be known as a gentle person? Why or why not?
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| Today’s Scripture |
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
(Matthew 6:27, NIV) |
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| Refuse to Worry |
God doesn’t want you to live worried and anxious about anything. He knows that worry is counterproductive. It steals your peace and joy and affects every area of your life, even your sleep! Have you heard the saying, “Don’t worry yourself sick?” Yes, worrying will actually make you physically ill. You won’t ever gain anything by worrying; in fact, it causes you to lose precious moments that you can never live again. The good news is, God has promised to bring you victory over worry. When you make the choice to put an end to worry, God will give you His peace.
Decide today to put an end to worry. Don’t feed worry by focusing on bad news all the time. Sure, we should be informed, but we should be more informed of the truth of the Word of God. Feed your faith and fill your heart and mind with God’s promises. Declare everyday, “My God shall supply all my needs. He makes a way out of no way. He is a Restorer and Redeemer.” As you focus on God’s Word, you’ll drive out worry and fill your heart with faith and expectancy for the future!
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| A Prayer for Today |
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| “Father, today I choose to put an end to worry in my life. I choose to feed my faith by studying Your Word. Help me to totally trust in You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.” |
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