Gentle Women in a Bold World

Gentle Women in a Bold World (Inspired by “Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit” by Teri Maxwell)

1 Peter 3 speaks to women explicitly about what pleases God and what does not. Peter says that if we are to win any, it will not be through our outward apparel, “but 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.” (Verse 5) In God’s eyes having a quiet and a meek spirit is exceptionally valuable! When looking up those two key words; meek is “mild, that is by implication humble” and quiet is “properly keeping one’s seat (sedentary), that is by implication still (undisturbed) - peaceable”. What contrast we see in society today! We are constantly bombarded with pictures and ideas that say we as women should not be forbearing or gentle, but instead we must be overbearing and assertive in order to get our own selves anywhere in life. Today’s modern woman as painted in the modern media vehemently clashes with what Christ intended for His creation. Blood-bought, spirit-filled women need not be in subjection to such disillusionment.

So, how do we keep a meek and quiet spirit in the midst of the constant battles we face in the real world? I tell you in all sincerity that it is not only possible, but necessary if we are to reach any hearts for the cause of Christ.

Believe me, I am not an expert overcomer in this area. But I thank God that He is ever dealing with us about having this meek and quiet spirit, this extremely priceless gift working effectively in our lives. Over the years, I have taken note of several aspects of life that can steal that meek and quiet spirit from us. If we can be diligent in these areas, much of the battle has been won. These areas are: daily communion with our Lord, organization and scheduling, casting down negative thoughts, and controlling our anger.

Daily Communion With Our Lord

Having an intimate relationship with the One Who created us is the first and foremost important corner stone to supporting our meek and quiet spirit-filled lives. The psalmist says, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” and again Isaiah echoes “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early.” (Psalms 63:1 & Isaiah 26:9) Starting the day with the Lord on our minds, with a song of salvation in our hearts, and a fresh touch of the Holy Ghost revitalizing our strength is just what will procure a successful day in the Lord (you can read my testimony to that here). As we have been told, this Holy Spirit is not some trophy to be placed on metaphoric shelf in our hearts, but rather it is a living, breathing tool that we are to utilize and embrace throughout the waking hours. Keeping that connection to the Ultimate Power Source is a definitive way to maintaining a meek and quiet spirit in the midst of the commotion brought on by daily life.

Organization and Scheduling

Another area that beckons our attention is that of organization. How many times throughout the day can we be quickly derailed when the chaos of handling and managing a home overwhelm us? This does not have to be! The more uncluttered and structure we have to our day, the better off we are. In the scheduling of our day and the ordering of our homes, we are not to be so inflexible that we cannot change as necessary, but in the same way, we should not be so flexible that we are just going with the latest current that drifts along. Numerous resources are readily available to assist in the organizing of daily life as the manager of the home. Set apart time each day to tackle the clutter in your home. Clean out unnecessary items, organize clothes, office spaces, books, toys, etc. If you schedule time for this event, it will only take a matter of weeks to get your household out of chaos and well on its way to regularity and comfort.

Also, maintaining a schedule for yourself as well as any children in the home greatly relieves the frustration that accumulates when it seems that there just is not enough time to do everything or get anything done. If it is important enough to be concerned over, it is important enough to make the time for it in the day. Make a list of activities that are important to you and your family that you want to accomplish daily/weekly/monthly. Use this list as a guide in creating a schedule that you can live with.

Casting Down Negative Thoughts

Besides keeping up with the outside realm of the orderly household and flexible schedule, the inner workings of our ever complicated minds have to be kept under subjection. As Paul admonishes:

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ… (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

We must keep a short leash on our thoughts. Because thoughts are not tangible, some people allow themselves to go through a whole sinful scenario inside their minds; meditating almost unconsciously on negative ideas and attitudes. Then when it comes time for church or pressing into prayer, they are often hindered and wonder why it takes so long or is so difficult to press through. Our thoughts dictate our attitude; our attitude in turn dictates our perspective on each situation; and our perspective is what causes us to react the way we do in any given circumstance. When we think on the positive, Christ-like aspects in life, our outlook is positive, our perspective on what is happening is positive, and thus our reaction is positive – or vice versa.

Controlling Our Anger

When situations arise throughout the day which threaten to overthrow a meek and quiet spirit, we must stop immediately and get our feelings in check. We all have buttons which “blow our tops” and a limit to how much stress we can handle. As women especially, we have to be very much aware of how the devil can use our emotions to get the best of us. Stand guard at the door of your mind and heart! Christ said that we are to be free from all bonds, certainly that would include being controlled by our emotions. The Holy Spirit is a power we must utilize in order to keep our emotions in subjection. All too often, women blame the loss of control because of hormones, imbalances, or other emotional problems. Someone once brought up the point – do we lose our spirits in front of our pastor? Do we yell and go off at our neighbors, cashiers, salespeople, etc.? Certainly not - we would never be seen losing our temper in public. So, if we can tame our temper out in public, why would we let it lose in our homes with the people who love us the most and whom we love the most? When you feel your emotions starting to take over, go to your room and pray. Stop wherever you are, and talk to the Lord. You cannot praise the Lord and be angry at the same time. Easier said than done, right? Yet, I believe that we can be more than conquerors through Christ.

(On a health note, many women do suffer from severe emotional instability. If you do have a hormonal imbalance or experience severe issues with your emotions, many herbal and nutritional aids are readily available. If you would like some more information on this topic, feel free to email me.)

Though we live in a fallen world, we do not have to be subject to the domineering, overconfident, demanding attitudes this world presents as the latest vogue for women. Though the world may laugh and scoff at the idea of a woman with a meek and quiet spirit, that gentle woman holds immeasurable value in the eyes of God. Daily communing with our Lord, organizing and scheduling, keeping our thoughts in subjection to Christ, and controlling our anger and emotions are just some of the ways through which we maintain this humble disposition. By this gentle conversation, let us win others to Christ; ever bearing in mind that, “the LORD takes pleasure in His people: He will beautify the meek with salvation.” (Psalm 149:4)