I just recently heard meekness defined as:
strength under control
In spite of years of Bible studies on the Sermon on the Mount I never understood what it meant to be meek. Did it mean to be a doormat? a person without an opinion? How could such people “inherit the earth?”
I mean, I know that with God all things are possible, and if He says it, then it’s true. And He likes to do things in counter-intuitive ways, often ways that are the exact opposite of our natural, human inclinations. But meek, mousy people inheriting the earth?
Now meekness being strength under great restraint, that is something I can understand. It corroborates with the following Old Testament teachings:
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.
Proverbs 15:1
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:15
Anyone that knows me well knows that I can be quite the talker. And meekness is, unfortunately, not my signature style.
With the new year just beginning, and my birthday yesterday, I am regularly being asked what resolutions I have for this year.
I haven’t made resolutions the past few years but this year I would like to grow in meekness.
I’ve already had many opportunities to practice it, and I have to say, it is much more effective than I would have ever dreamed possible (this is where Jesus is shaking his head incredulously saying, “Oh ye of little faith”)!
I highly recommend meekness!
The next time we find ourselves in difficult situations where we really should speak up, let’s remember to be meek – strong but gentle.