Galatians 5:22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives HE will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. [Living Bible]
Summary
GENTLENESS is another SUPERFRUIT of the HOLY SPIRIT.
According to the dictionary, when someone is gentle, he/she is: mild, considerate, tender, amicable, not harsh or severe, soothing.
Images of gentleness might include how someone might hold, care for or speak to a new born baby. It is the image of the lion lying down with a lamb. Gentleness is not weakness. Sometimes it is power under control—like the gentle breeze of what could be a raging hurricane.
A Gentle Voice
The Bible tells us that the voice of GOD is gentle. When Elijah meets GOD on the mountain:
...the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain; it was such a terrible
blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind,
there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:11-12 (Living Bible).
A Gentle SPIRIT
JESUS has a gentle SPIRIT. Although Jesus is the KING of KINGS, HE is unlike any king ever known. Instead of using HIS authority to make HIS own life easier, as other earthly kings did, JESUS used HIS authority to make life easier for us. Instead of taking from others or making others give to HIM; JESUS gave HIS all. He gave HIS life in order to make life and the life hereafter easier for us. Instead of living "large," separate from us in a great mansion, JESUS became our "EMMANUEL" (i.e., GOD with us). HE never flaunts HIS great power. Instead, HE teaches us, comforts us and helps us in our time of need. While others claw and walk over others to get to the top, JESUS asks us to reach down and help those at the bottom. HE urges us to "be gentle and humble" like HIM:
Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath
a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you;
for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give
you only light burdens.
Matthew 11: 28-30 (Living Bible).
Gentle Exercises
Sometime people do not exercise because they think exercise is too vigorous or because they think it will worsen their pain. What people often overlook are the numerous gentle exercises available to them. Instead of skipping exercising, a gentle exercise can often be the solution to getting better and stronger.
In "Exercise Tips: 10 Gentile Exercises," Amanda Gardner lists a number of gentle exercises including:
- Walking (e.g., a school track, a parking lot, the mall, the steps at work or a driveway)
- Swimming – there is less pressure on joints; often good for those with osteoarthritis or with musculoskeletal issues.
- Yoga- combines breathing and movement to increase range of motion and improve body core. Often focuses on various body parts. There are also various class levels.
- Tai Chi – A good exercise for the young and old alike. A mindfulness exercise that also incorporated breathing and movement. A New England Journal of Medicine study found that twice-weekly sessions of Tai Chi reduced pain, stiffness, and fatigue in fibromyalgia patients. Tai chi also helps with building strength, endurance, and balance.
- Pilates –A form of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates. A 2009 study in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation found that Pilates improved pain more than a relaxation/stretching regimen. Pilates generally requires some instruction, so look for an experienced teacher.
- Simple Stretching- Stretching can be performed almost anywhere, in a chair, against a wall, waiting in line or at a desk. There are a million stretching routines on the internet, including stretches for people who sit too much.
- Light Weight and Strength Training –A little weight training can go a long way. Working with light weights (e.g., 1, 2, 5 or 10 lbs.) can help increase bone density, improve flexibility, reduce pain, including arthritic pain, improve movement and enhance body tone. Consulting your physician or a strength-training specialist will help you learn how to use weights correctly and determine the best strength training program for you as well as the warm-up exercises you may need to perform to reduce injury.
See, "Exercise Tips: 10 Gentile Exercises," by Amanda Gardner, Health.com; The Huffington Post and "The Importance of Strength Training," by Alice Burron, www.nursetogether.com.
As always, consult your personal physician if you have questions, concerns, are on medication, have a medical condition or you are starting an exercise program for the first time.
TRY A LITTLE GENTLENESS:
GOD's way is often so different from the way people think things ought to be. Instead of ruling, GOD wants us to serve. Instead of getting as much as you can, GOD wants us to give. Instead of demanding, yelling and screaming, GOD wants us to be gentle.
When low back, knee, hand pain or arthritis inflict us or when we encounter stiffness or other physical (and sometimes emotional) problems, instead of sitting and doing nothing, the best course of action may be exercise---gentle exercise.
So, try GOD's way. Ask for a "SPIRITUAL serving" of gentleness in your life. Also, consider a gentle exercise routine.
Then be gentle and, Be Blessed!
