How Can We Practice Meekness?
By Amanda Idleman
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” - Matthew 5:5
In the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5, Jesus teaches that the meek are blessed. Meekness can also be described as gentleness. It’s a restrained expression of the power we have been given in this life. As a parent, meekness is hard to maintain! When my children start to overwhelm me, I tend to use a harsh tone and a heavy hand to force them to change their behavior. This tactic is exhausting. Trying to control others almost never works and is a life-sucking endeavor.
A meek heart acknowledges the need for God’s hand to be at work in your life. We have to let go of the death grip many of us have on our circumstances and trust God will work out the details of our lives for his glory. Meekness is a gentle diligence that commits to surrendering our futures to the Lord. Jesus declares it is the meek that will inherit the Earth. That’s a pretty big promise and a statement we can rest in.
How Can We Practice Meekness?
Be Quick to Listen.
James 1:19 reminds us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. Being willing to listen before making judgments or offering advice is a huge part of living with meekness. Being ready to listen first before speaking shows others you care about them. You are not jumping past their story to draw harsh conclusions about their situation. Listening shows others you value them even if you don’t always agree with them. Listening does not imply agreement; it shows consideration and care. The humble are open to hearing the thoughts of others before giving their own point of view.
Cultivate Gratitude.
The Bible tells us repeatedly to be grateful for the gifts God has given us. Why does God care so much about a heart of thanksgiving? Because it takes a level of humility to be able to practice gratitude. We have to recognize our own unworthiness to see that our lives are full of good gifts.
Entitlement comes from a spirit of pride. Pride says I deserve better. Pride covets the things and lives of others and strips us of our ability to find contentment. When we stop to say thank you, we lay down the pride that wants to drive us toward more and better. Thanksgiving allows us to be present at the moment and worship God for what he has done right now rather than hoping and wishing for something more.
Serve Others.
Philippians 2:3-5 tells us to consider others better than ourselves. It’s a reminder that we are better off when we give rather than receive. Serving others, and choosing to see them as worthy and made in the image of God, helps keep us humble. When we involve ourselves in the lives of others, we begin to see how special they are and how much God loves each of us.
Prayer
God, help me to grow in meekness so I can be one that inherits your Kingdom. Give me the patience to listen before I speak. Help me to grow in gratitude because you have richly blessed me. Open opportunities for me to better serve others around me so I can better love my community. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Tom Merton
Related Resource: Anxiety: Practical Steps for Healing in Christ
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Originally published Tuesday, 18 July 2023.
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