Gentleness ( vs Harshness )

Gentleness comes as we humble ourselves. We are to discipline ourselves in order to recognize the weaknesses and limitations of others and respond to them with a soft answer and patient encouragement. We are to nurture them with joyful singing, wise answers, we can cry out to God on their behalf and lifting them when they falter. Gentleness will give people rest and comfort especially those who labour and heavy laden with tribulations.

Gentleness begins with pain and sorrow and ends in an abundant increase.

Accepting someone's comfort and grace during trials develops an attitude of kindness and gentleness toward others. The fire of adversity that burn hurtful thistles and thorns in a person's life give opportunity for a new growth of gentleness.

Few of us will ever have the opportunity to perform great deeds of heroism, but to everyone of us there is given the chance day by day to be sweet and gracious and winsome.

The gentleness that comes from true wisdom is the result of an understanding heart or hearing heart.

Gentleness refers to moral excellence in character and attitude.

Personal Evaluation
How gentle are you?
* Have you developed self discipline and abasement in order to be attentive to the hurts and needs of others?
*When you give instructions or responses to others, doyou take consideration their weaknesses and limitations?
* Do you have a sheperd's mind-set toward those who are looking to you for care and growth?
* Are you irritable and reactionary when people with needs intrude upon your time or energy?
* Have you translated past pain and suffering in your life into reminders to protect others and prepare them to have a right response to any offenders?
* Do you speak evil of someone you dislike?
* Do you look for ways to teach those who are not as mature as they should be?
* Do you give a soft answer so that you do not offend or discourage others?
* Do you see potential in others and purpose to help them grow in life?

Deference ( vs. Offensiveness )

Deference is putting the welfare of others ahead of our own personal pleasures
It is making personal sacrifices to help others be successful and putting off words, attitudes, or actions that would cause others to be offended or weakened.

Deference is about exchanging my rights for the permanent joy of another's growth.

Personal Evaluation
* Do you have modesty and privacy in your home to protect children from stirring up wrong desires?
* Do you justify music or activities that offend or weaken fellow housemates?
* Do you offend people of other cultures, races or ethnic groups by the words you use to describe them?
* Do you adjust as much as you can to accomodate those from other backgrounds and philosophies?

Compassion vs Indifference

Compassion is responding to a deep need with a longing to do whatever is necessary to meet it. It is a practical expression of genuine love.

Sympathy – feeling sorry for people who are hurt
Empathy – feeling the pain with people who are hurt
Compassion – doing something about the pain.

A man with compassion is a good Samaritan.

One reason for pain is to help us have compassion on others with similar hurts.
Having compassion can be enhanced by having a big heart with praying list.
We can comfort others in their tribulations.

A herd of Zebra will slow its pace when one member is injured so it can stay together while the wounded member recovers.

Decisiveness vs Double-mindedness

Life is a continuous series of exchanges based on wise or unwise decisions.

Decisiveness is choosing to do what is right based on accurate facts, wise counsel and clearly defined goals.

We must determine early in life that we will choose to do what is right, whatever the cost.

First step in decisiveness is choosing whom we are going to serve in lives.
Difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to reach our goal.
The 4 Ds of Decision Making
1) Don’t – If it is the responsibility of others, let them do it
2) Delay – If it should be done at a better time, wait.
3) Delegate – If others can do it better, let them
4) Do it – If none of the above apply, do it!

Those who avoid decision making thereby decide to let circumstances and others make decisions for them.

Decisiveness is based on wise consideration of all available
options.