Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone.
Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble
Luke 21:34 “Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
This is the heart of a person who will let the Lord fight his battles. He knows that vengeance is Mine, says the Lord. It is a person who is really free to let go of His anxieties and all the things that cause him stress, because he knows that the Lord is his refuge.
How are we to show gentleness to those closest to us, yet alone those we happen to meet by chance, when we are anxious and weighed down with cares of this life? Things happen, accidents happen, bad things happen, and they seem to happen out of nowhere. One day all is well and then….. there is a pandemic, volcano, earthquake, storm, bad drivers, sickness, financial troubles, etc…. Though they have devastating effects, if we are not already walking closely with Jesus Christ these events can rob us of joy, peace, gentleness, hope, kindness, love, forgiveness, patience, and leave us anxious, worried, and fearful. If we are not firmly rooted in God’s Word with humble surrender of self and self-reliance, self-worth and worthiness we will crumble to the cares of this world. It is in humbleness we stand before Jesus Christ and in Him we find hope for today and tomorrow. If we become complacent and neglectful in our Christian walk the things that happen, whatever they are, will snare us and leave us anxiousness, fearful, anger, greedy, despairing, miserable, conflicted, distressing, resentful……..
Cares of this world and what it has to offer are easily seen. Our family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and strangers need to see Christian examples who are not affected by the cares of this world and are not lead by what it has to offer. When our heart’s desire is to honor, glorify, trust, rely on, and cling to Jesus Christ, it is then we will be able to discern the difference between what is godly and worldly, and the worldly cares and worldly expectations can put it in its proper place – into the hands of our redeemer, fortress, and refuge, Jesus Christ. It is then we will walk above worldly cares and worries. It is then, those around us will see that in Jesus Christ, things that happen, we are not robbed of joy, peace, gentleness, hope, kindness, love, patience, and forgiveness.