Gentleness

Day 17 — More Like Jesus: Gentleness

Scripture:
Matthew 11:29 (ESV)
“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.”

Gentleness is one of those character traits that can feel misunderstood. For some people, it stands out clearly. For others, it seems almost absent. In our world, gentleness is often mistaken for weakness, passivity, or settling for less than what God desires. But Scripture paints a very different picture.

Jesus describes Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.” That matters. Gentleness is not something Jesus occasionally displays when the moment is right. It is who He is at His core. The Greek word often translated as gentleness is also translated as meekness. Meekness is not weakness. It is strength under control.

True gentleness is the ability to respond with restraint when you have every reason and every right to respond with force. It is choosing patience over power. It is choosing love over control.

As a dad of four girls, I learned this lesson in a very real way. When my girls were young, they loved to wrestle and play. They would jump on me, tackle me, and laugh as if they were winning the fight. Of course, I always had the strength to end the game immediately. But gentleness meant choosing not to. It meant holding back my strength so that relationship and joy could flourish.

That is a small picture of what Jesus does with us. He has all authority. All power. All strength. And yet He deals with us gently. He meets us in our weakness. He leads us with patience. He invites us to learn from Him.

Gentleness is not settling for less than what God has for us. It is trusting God enough to let Him shape how we use the strength we have. It is strength submitted to love.

Jesus showed this again and again. Even in the final days before the cross, He restrained His power. He could have stopped the betrayal. He could have called down angels. Instead, He chose the gentle path that led to our salvation.

To become more like Jesus is to allow the Holy Spirit to shape our strength. Gentleness shows up in how we speak, how we correct, how we lead, how we love, and how we respond when life presses in. It is not natural. It is spiritual fruit.

When we walk closely with Jesus, gentleness becomes less about trying harder and more about becoming more like Him.

Reflection
Where in your life do you feel tempted to use strength instead of gentleness?
How might Jesus be inviting you to respond differently today?
What would it look like to bring strength under His control in your relationships?

Prayer
Jesus, thank You for Your gentle heart toward me.
Teach me to learn from You and walk in Your ways.
Help me to use my strength with wisdom, humility, and love.
Shape my heart so that I reflect Your gentleness in every relationship.
I want to be more like You. Amen.