Gentleness is difficult. Have you noticed? Even after focusing on it for three months, we can start the day with wonderful intentions, but by bedtime we end up needing to put a quarter…or three…in the “I Could’ve Handled that Better” jar. I hope your family isn’t getting discouraged. This apparent failure is not because you aren’t trying. Read Ephesians 6:10-12 to find out what the real problem is.
Yep, that’s right. There’s an enemy out there, and he’s got your family in his crosshairs. Every time you all make a decision to be a gentle force in the community, he sends a sneak attack to disrupt your plans. When you’re determined to be gentle at school or work, or even with each other, he sends a squad of demons to stir up chaos that pushes every button and jumps on every nerve. It’s hard to be gentle when flaming arrows of challenging circumstances keep zooming past your head.
But God wouldn’t call us to be a gentle people if he didn’t also have a way for us to be successful. Keep reading vs. 13-18 to find the solution.
If you have some younger kids in your family, they will be a big help to your family right now, because we’ve been talking about the armor of God for 12 whole weeks in PoC K.I.D.S. They are armor experts! But just in case your lacking in elementary kids, let’s do a quick summary of these vital pieces of “equipment”:
The Belt of Truth—Knowing the truth about who God is and what his promises are so that you won’t be tricked by the enemy
The Breastplate of Righteousness—Making right, holy choices to protect your heart and keep sin out
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace—Remembering that Jesus died to save us and everyone who accepts Him from sin (This is what we’re fighting for!)
The Shield of Faith—Believing all that God promises and that he will do what he says he will do to protect you from doubt and fear
The Helmet of Salvation—Walking in relationship with Jesus which gives you peace and security
The Sword of the Spirit—Reading the Bible so you can carry God’s word with you wherever you go whenever you need it
Think about these pieces of armor. Each one has a purpose and can help you defend yourself against the enemy’s tricks and attacks. Each one can hep you in your quest to be a gentle family force. But each one can be challenging to remember to “wear.” Which one do you struggle to remember to put on? Go around and share which piece of armor you miss most often and how it impacts your ability to be gentle.
It is so important that we “put on” that armor every day. Paul’s right in his instruction! We can encourage each other as a family, but the reality is, we aren’t with each other a lot of the time. We start the day together, then we each go out to school and work bringing our mission of gentleness into our own part of the community. It’s even harder to stay “armed” and gentle when we’re by ourselves.
What can you do as a family to arm yourselves each morning together and prepare for a gentle day? Sit down and make a plan. Maybe you’re going to read through these verses together and remind yourself what the pieces of armor are. If you have younger children (or not), you could pretend to put on each piece as you talk about it. Maybe you’ll recite your family motto together before you head out the door. Turn it into a team chant! Maybe you’re going to pray together every morning. That alone would be powerful!! (See vs. 18.)
Decide on your armor routine then end your time together in prayer, asking Jesus to continue helping your family be a gentle force in this world!
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