SPEAKER_00 0:01

You've asked your child to put their things in their backpack. Not once, not twice, three times. And now you're standing by the door and they're still looking for that picture they absolutely have to bring with them. And you can feel it. Frustration is starting to rise. And maybe the words that are about to come out of your mouth are not exactly what you want them to be. So, what does gentleness look like in that moment? Welcome to God Says So, the scripture-rooted podcast created to help Christian moms just like you grow in God's word, strengthen your faith, live by what God says, and pass his truth onto the children you love. So the next generation grows up rooted in Scripture. Hi, I'm Donna, and I hope that you'll feel right at home here. Together, we'll find encouragement and joy in what God says. You'll leave with one practical way to bring his truth into your everyday family life. So come join me. I can't wait to share today's message with you. Hey friend, welcome back. I'm so glad you're here. Before we dive in, just an exciting and friendly reminder that the God says so shop opens Tuesday, September 29th with scripture-inspired apparel and merch for women and kids. Okay, let's continue through our series, The Fruit of the Spirit in Everyday Family Life. And today we're talking about gentleness. And as we do in every episode, we're going to take one scripture scripture passage, one prayer, and one practical step to help you live by what God says in your everyday life. Okay, so what does gentleness look like when you're tired or frustrated, when your child isn't listening, when you've already repeated yourself three, five, seven times? Our scripture today is Galatians 5, 22 through 23. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things. Okay, there it is, gentleness. Okay, so when we hear that word, I think sometimes we imagine someone who is naturally quiet, soft-spoken, calm all the time. Maybe you hear gentle and think, well, that's definitely not me. But biblical gentleness isn't simply a personality type. And gentleness does not mean weakness. It doesn't mean you never correct your child. It doesn't mean you never say no. And it certainly doesn't mean your children get to do whatever they want because you're trying to be gentle. Biblical gentleness carries the idea of responding with humility rather than unnecessary harshness. And remember, gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. So we're not talking about trying to become a sweeter version of ourselves. So we're talking about the Holy Spirit working in us and changing the way we respond. Because you can be right and still respond wrongly. You can have every reason to correct something, but say it too harshly. You can say the right words with the wrong tone. Have you ever done that? Maybe you're saying something completely reasonable, like, please pick up your toys. We don't speak to people like that. You need to listen when mommy is talking to you. So there may be absolutely nothing wrong with what you're saying. But sometimes it's not only what we say, it's how we say it. And I think that's one of the places gentleness begins to show up in everyday life by allowing the Holy Spirit to shape the way we respond. Because correction and gentleness can exist together. You can be firm and still be gentle. You can say no and still be gentle. You can stop behavior that needs to stop without adding unnecessary harshness to it. Okay, so imagine this: your precious little one knocks over a glass of milk after you have already told him three times to move it away from the edge of the table. And your first reaction is frustration. I told you three times to. But maybe instead, you pause and say, Okay, let's get some paper towels and clean this up. This is why mommy asked you to move your cup away from the edge. Same lesson, same correction, but a different response. You didn't pretend it was okay, but you didn't have to add your frustration to the mess either. And mom, this is where I think we can put so much pressure on ourselves. Because we hear something like this and think, okay, be nicer, speak softer, don't get frustrated, try harder. No, no, no. That puts the entire weight right back on you. This is about the fruit of the Spirit. As we follow Jesus, stay in his word, pray, and surrender those reactions to him, the Holy Spirit continues his work in us. And over time, something starts to change. That sharp response doesn't come quite as quickly. Maybe you catch yourself before you say the thing you would have said before. Maybe the frustration is still there, but it doesn't get to decide what comes out of your mouth. And that's growth. That's the Holy Spirit producing his fruit in your everyday life. And no, you are not going to get it right every time. None of us do. There may be times and moments when you react harshly. And when that happens, own it and apologize. Because when a child sees that, in that moment, when a mom apologizes, the child is seeing a mom who is following Jesus, a mom who is willing to humble herself, a mom who is allowing God to keep changing her. And that matters. Okay, here's your one practical step for today. The next time you feel that frustration rising, pause before you respond. And in that little space, pray, Holy Spirit, help me respond with gentleness. Then say what needs to be said. I mean, you can do that without adding, you know, the harshness and you could still correct and you can still say no. But when you ask the Holy Spirit to help you in those moments, that's when he will help you respond with gentleness. Okay. So, real quick, before we pray, if you want a simple way to bring more of God's word into your everyday family life, grab this guide called Seven Scriptures to Pray Over the Children You Love. It's completely free, and I'd love for you to have it. You can download it today by using the link in the show notes. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you that you are continuing to shape us and make us more like Jesus. Thank you that gentleness is not something we have to manufacture on our own, but fruit your Holy Spirit produces in us. Lord, show us the places where our words become harsh, where frustration takes over, or where our tone doesn't reflect your heart. Teach us to be firm when we need to be firm and to correct when correction is needed while responding with humility, love, and gentleness. Holy Spirit, help us pause before we react. Help our children experience more of your love through the way we speak to them, encourage them, and care for them. Continue your work in us. In Jesus' mighty name we pray. Amen. Okay, come back on Tuesday for a special episode. We'll be talking about why God's word is the one thing you can always build your life on. And we'll also be celebrating the official opening of the God says so shop. And if you haven't already, please follow the God says so podcast so you never miss an episode. Oh, wait, one more thing. If the Holy Spirit puts someone on your heart while you were listening to this episode, would you please share this podcast with them? And together, we can reach more families, all for God's glory. Until next time, stay rooted in Scripture. Live by what God says, and pass it on.