Gentleness

Tuesday – May 26, 2020

Posted

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

Francis Schaeffer was an American evangelical theologian, philosopher, author, and Presbyterian pastor. He struggled to spell words correctly because of dyslexia. At Hampden–Sydney College, his spelling errors lowered the grade on all written assignments. During his first year, a professor told Schaeffer, “This is the best philosophy paper I’ve ever read, but it’s the worst spelling. What am I going to do? I can’t pass you.”

Francis replied, “Sir, I could never spell. Could you please just read what I’m saying and not worry about the spelling?”

After a long pause, the professor gently replied, “You know, Mr. Schaeffer, I think we’ll do that.” In 1935, Schaeffer graduated magna cum laude from Hampden–Sydney College.

The professor’s wise, compassionate response encouraged a gifted young man who would later help many of the searching generation during the 1960s and 70s to find their way to faith in Christ.

There is strength in gentleness when we are firmly rooted in Christ.  Today in prayer, praise the Lord for His example of gentleness and seek to be more like the Savior.

“Gentleness includes such enviable qualities as having strength under control, being calm and peaceful when surrounded by a heated atmosphere, emitting a soothing effect on those who may be angry or otherwise beside themselves, and possessing tact and gracious courtesy that causes others to retain their self-esteem and dignity.” – Charles Swindoll

God’s Word: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23