Good morning people who are pleasant to be around.

The following verse is a guiderail for me this year:

Philippians 4:5 NIV Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Gentleness – an understated superpower of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.

The result of people encountering God’s gentleness through us is the conclusion that God is near. What a glorious thing for people to feel after spending time with us!

One of the things that will empower this reality in our life is to take note of the previous verse. A focus on what we see in verse 4 will help us to walk in the gentleness that comes from God.

Philippians 4:4 NIV Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

If you’re struggling to be gentle, perhaps you need to rejoice in the Lord more. It’s difficult to rejoice in the Lord and not be gentle towards people. God knows what He is doing.

Oh, there’s another couple of ingredients that will also empower our gentleness. These are found in the following few verses.

Philippians 4:6-8 NIV Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Gentleness is released through us rejoicing in the Lord, praying to the Lord and thinking about what pleases the Lord.