Meekness Empowered Decisions
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5
Why is it that God says the meek shall inherit the earth? Isn’t meekness weakness that cannot possibly bring anything of worth?
Not in the least.
Meekness is an incredible power. One would think it means being a mild mannered, timid lightweight the way the trait is sometimes described. But in fact, it is power under control.
It is disciplined strength.
What we are able to accomplish – to lead serving with the best outcomes available to us because our decision making is not based on anything rash – be it word or act.
Instead, decisions are filtered through a resolve that God is who He says He is, able, willing, and actively moving in our situation because He said He would and does not fail. This is what meek is made of.
Having a heart that turns to God first is a step toward success beyond what we could imagine and does not require that we are perfect first. So if you think you have to have everything perfect before doing the right thing, think again.
The Striking Effect of Meekness
Meekness produces such a striking effect because it considers the benefit of others and acts both in their best favor, as one should toward self as a positive example for others to imitate, in words and actions – and under the most difficult of personal stress. This is the worthy outcome inherited.
It is a quality of the most powerful leaders. It is not a characteristic of a tyrant.
It is not self-serving. Like love, it is neither arrogant nor a doormat.
The power we gain through turning to God in everything comes by knowing He can and will handle what we are incapable of changing through our own means. It comes by accepting He is our Creator, knows our circumstances, and will answer our prayer concerning a need.
Strength is a Product of Meekness
Meekness is not loss of strength, but rather life lived by a rock solid foundation of a moment by moment grasp on the fact that God is dealing with every detail we encounter, that He will do something on our behalf and is not sitting idly by ignoring our pleas or sleeping through what we are experiencing.
When we believe others in our lives are not aware of our needs, we can become alarmed. But, the power of meekness that directs how we decide to handle adversity is wrapped up not only in knowing about God, but learning to know His character of unfailing, unrelenting faithfulness.
We learn to know Him through a personal relationship with Him where trust becomes so deep that His ability and willingness to intervene becomes second nature for us to think of more and more upon distress, and where worry decreases more and more upon distress.
This does not mean we feel guilt for adrenaline kicking in when it should as this is how we are made aware of danger and swiftly escape to safety.
It does mean, however, that we learn to respond in a way, unnatural to us, in greater capacity as we observe God’s involvement in our lives.
We respond right by placing remembrances of the good He has done, like a lens to look through and check where our faith is currently, in front of all we consider doing to solve problems.
These remembrances are like pieces of bedrock eventually building up our solid foundation of faith. Everyone has faith. Everyone places belief. It is where our faith is directed that either delivers or imprisons us.
It is perhaps seeing the unpleasant in front of us, even a disaster real or imagined, but nonetheless real to us – knowing that God sees our thoughts toward what is happening regardless if another soul ever will. Yet, this begins not to matter because through growing meekness, our first thought is God is able to handle whatever just alerted us and we want to apply worry to – not just concern which is normal – but persistent worry that prevents us from effectual problem solving.
We are reminded in Isaiah 30:15 where He instructs His people,
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
that
- God is bigger than our circumstances
- We are wise to recognize we could lose everything we have in a moment including our means and what we think secures us
- He truly is in control
Not running about in panic whether out loud or subtle, both of which are damaging to ourselves and others, is what provides us strength to get through – and more than just getting through things, but thriving instead of remaining held back. The strength is supplied through a continual turning to, a consistent noticing, and dependence on who God is, His nature, and His follow-through on His own word.
Getting to the Best Decisions
Results of our decisions are empowered to be the best through our stepping back to let God step in.
And the amazing thing about our stepping back to let God act is this:
God is the first example of what meek is in that He honors us for putting Him first and placing our trust in His ability. He does not have to, but it is His nature.
The honor and glory belong to Him, but because He loves and wants our good, He shows us how to live life to the fullest.
Think of the most difficult circumstance you believe you must carry on your own.
Ask God for trust in His character to help you with choices concerning every detail.
From the smallest to the most overwhelming, know He fully understands your mountain, and that turning it over to Him will lead you to make meekness empowered decisions.
