Aug 29, 2014 Meekness Does Not Equal Weakness by Rick Warren “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NIV) If you want to make healthy choices to be well and whole again, you have to learn to be meek. Matthew 5:5 says, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (NIV). The Bible lists many benefits of meekness: The meek will be satisfied (Psalm 22:26); God will guide them (Psalm 25:9); they will become wise (Proverbs 11:2); they will be filled with fresh joy (Isaiah 29:19). There are many, many others. The problem is, we misunderstand this term. None of us really know what meekness is. In fact we often confuse it with another term that sounds like it — “meek” sounds like “weak.” Nobody wants to be weak, so nobody wants to be meek. But the truth is meekness and weakness are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Meekness is in no way weakness. In fact the Greek word for meekness literally means “strength under control.” To be meek is not to be weak. It’s used to describe a wild stallion that has been tamed. That stallion still has all the strength it had when it was wild, but now its strength is under control. It is strength bottled up for the master’s use. God doesn’t want you to be weak, but he does want you to be meek. The Bible teaches that it’s one of the keys to stress reduction in your life. Here’s a simple definition of the word meek: Let go, and let God. That is the essence of meekness. It is surrendering, submitting, and agreeing to what God wants to do in your life. It’s letting God be God in your life. Let go, and let God. I don’t know a phrase that will do more for your health physically or emotionally than this phrase. If you’ll begin to practice it in your life, it will relieve stress and eliminate worry. If you’ll let go and let God, it will defuse anger and end your hurt and resentment. Talk It Over • What areas of your life do you especially need to surrender so that God can take control? • What might keep you from displaying meekness and submitting your life to God? Our Gift: Lifes Healing Choices Study Kit Everybody needs healing from some sort of hurt, hang-up, or habit. Pastor Rick created this study kit to take you through the eight healing choices Jesus taught in the Beatitudes. MORE Lifes Healing Choices: Complete Audio Series (purchase) Join Pastor Rick for this series of broadcasts as he walks through the Beatitudes from Matthew 5, which are the eight steps to physical, emotional, social, financial, and personal health. MORE This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at rickwarren.org. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including “The Purpose Driven Church” and “The Purpose Driven Life,” read by more than 100 million people in 137 languages. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered across America. Follow Us: Follow Pastor Rick on Facebook and Twitter. Enjoy today’s devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this Daily Devotional to you? Get your own free subscription to The Purpose Driven Connection Daily Devotional, your daily inspiration via email. This devotional © 2014 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:57:53 +0000
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