Meek is not a word that I would use to describe myself. It is one that I would LOVE to be able to use to describe myself, but right now meek is not something that I am very often.
In the Bible, Peter talks about wives having a “meek and quiet spirit”, but I think it is something that all women need to strive to have, especially moms. As moms we desire to have a peaceful family and home. What we need to realize is that our attitudes and tones greatly direct the rest of the family members in our homes.
1 Pet. 3:4 says …let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Meek is not a word that we use very often these days, so let’s take a peek at what it really means.
MEEK, a. [L. mucus; Eng. mucilage; Heb. to melt.]
1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
In looking at the definition we see that being meek is greatly a part of our spirit (just as God’s word says), as well as how we respond to situations and the way we speak.
Being a mom we deal with many things throughout our days that can upset our spirits, things which can cause difficult situations and hasty words to be spoken. This is why it is so important that moms learn to have a meek spirit.
Having a Meek Spirit
In order to have a meek spirit, we must be filled with the peace of God. It is His peace that we need because it passes all understanding, it alone can with stand everything we face in our days.
Phil. 4:7 says, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
When we are filled with God’s peace, then we are able to be more soft and gentle in our actions, words and tones.
The Importance of Responding with a Meek Spirit
There will be many times throughout our days when we want to respond in anger, frustration and yelling may seem like the easiest way to deal with the situation. While it is the quickest way, it isn’t the easiest. When we choose to react in a negative way, we are actually creating more work for ourselves. Not only will we be wounding the hearts, minds and spirits of those we truly do love the most, but we will likely be the recipient of their anger, frustration and yelling in the future. We also will have to try to teach them why not to respond in these ways even though they have seen us do so.
There will be times when our children are unkind, disobedient or down right nasty toward us. The ugliness of their actions and/or words cannot affect how we respond. We must choose to speak softly and gently, while discipling and teaching them the way God calls us to live. We must not react in anger, our temper cannot get the better of us in the difficult parenting moments. These are the times when are children are watching us the most. We need to stand strong, remaining soft and gentle as the Lord is with us when we prove difficult to Him.
Being meek does not mean we are weak. It means we are in control of our spirits, actions and tongues. We know how to respond as a mother softly and gently so that we can disciple our children and grow them up in the Lord.
