The word meek in the Scripture comes from a Greek word which means “not easily provoked.” It is very easy to be provoked. It is much harder to be meek and to show gentleness when provoked.
When provoked, we might feel justified to react swiftly or harshly. After all, we feel offended or threatened. We don’t deserve to be treated this way. So, we lash out at those we feel have crossed us. We might think, they got what was coming to them. Too often, we say or do things, not caring much about how someone feels or what the consequences might be. We think, let the chips fall where they may! Who cares! They don’t care about me. When we see this attitude and response in print, it’s pretty clear this is too reactionary. If we saw this behavior from our teenage children, we would tell them to slow down and don’t be so easily provoked.
God will help us if we are sensitive to the importance of cultivating gentleness and restraining ourselves when provoked. None of us are blameless when it comes to this. But with God’s help we must try to react more constructively when offended or provoked. It is worth it. Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
When provoked, we might feel justified to react swiftly or harshly. After all, we feel offended or threatened. We don’t deserve to be treated this way. So, we lash out at those we feel have crossed us. We might think, they got what was coming to them. Too often, we say or do things, not caring much about how someone feels or what the consequences might be. We think, let the chips fall where they may! Who cares! They don’t care about me. When we see this attitude and response in print, it’s pretty clear this is too reactionary. If we saw this behavior from our teenage children, we would tell them to slow down and don’t be so easily provoked.
God will help us if we are sensitive to the importance of cultivating gentleness and restraining ourselves when provoked. None of us are blameless when it comes to this. But with God’s help we must try to react more constructively when offended or provoked. It is worth it. Jesus said in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Joseph C. Hutchison
