CBSM, this was sent to me by Brenda Robertson: one of our awesome small group leaders doing some reading. At CBSM, we are serious about our guys being biblical BEASTS and our girls being biblical beauties. If you want to read any more by Jen Smidt, check out http://recognizingjesus.blogspot.com/

A Quiet, Gentle Spirit
by Jen Smidt on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 5:15 am
Mars Hill Ballard Campus

Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. 1 Peter 3:4

WHAT IS A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT?
I am not naturally a quiet or gentle spirit. I was raised in a household with six children, four of them boys. Being tough and loud were the best survival techniques I knew. I have often struggled with what this verse could possibly look like in the face of an opin-ionated and talkative woman. I have even felt shame for my personality and hoped for a more “acceptable” version of me, believing that a silent, always agreeable shadow of a woman certainly would be more pleasing to God.

As I have sought God’s face for a clear and personalized depiction of what this Scripture label would look like for me, a freer, richer clarity was given to me for my life as a Chris-tian woman. The pendulum did not need to swing from loud, talkative, and opinionated to silent, invisible, and hidden. Somewhere in the middle ground is a beautiful place called redemption. God desires the hidden person of my heart to be submitted to and ruled by him. What pours forth from me then is the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. I cannot hope to restrain my tongue; I can believe that God has redeemed and is re-deeming my heart.

Gentle does not mean mousy or weak. It does mean strength derived from and under the control of the Holy Spirit. The default response of our hearts is often harshness. It feels powerful and usually gets the job done. Children and husbands alike can be effec-tively and sinfully shut down by a harsh word or glance. A gentle woman will trust her Father’s provision, identify with the righteousness of Christ and be filled with the Holy Spirit to such a degree that she will be known for her strength that shines brightly for God’s glory alone.

A TIME FOR NON-GENTLE RESPONSE
Ironically enough, there is a time and a place for a non-gentle response but it isn’t to-wards people in our lives that irritate us. It is against our enemy. Nothing short of all-out war waged against his deception and accusation is what is required of us as women. Under the covering of the powerful blood of Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit, we must battle the lies and let the peace and gentleness of God wash over us.

Quiet does not mean silent or without opinion. It does mean without noise. Quietness in my heart is drowned out by the cacophony of voices of fear, worry, anger, and doubt. Difficult circumstances or trials turn up the volume and I succumb to the chaos. I lose the voice of Jesus in the midst of the cacophony. Peace prevails and rest ensues when I am quieted before my Savior and listening for His voice alone. Out of that quietness, the words of my mouth will be fitting, life-giving and pleasing to God.

God gives us a huge bonus when he tells us that this gentle and quiet spirit is pleasing to him. How much more clear does he have to be? This is a divine freebie and yet, we often operate as though we are justified in our peeved, frustrated countenance.

NOT ALL QUIETNESS IS GOOD
Maybe you are a naturally quiet and gentle woman. Don’t jump too quickly to a pat on the back for yourself. Quietness that is self-protective or driven by fear of what others think is not pleasing to God. Neither is gentleness in the face of peril or temptation that requires the strength to fight back.

The most helpful and accurate Scripture labels are found as we search God’s Word for truth. He will enlighten the eyes of our hearts. Through much prayer, worship, and re-pentance, he will speak to each of us uniquely. Ask God to show you how and where you need to grow in understanding and expression of gentleness and quietness in your life. It pleases him greatly to know that his daughters actually know and care about cul-tivating a spirit that pleases him: one that is quieted by his love and offered in gentle-ness to others.

by Jen Smidt on Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 5:15 am
Mars Hill Ballard Campus