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 become meek. Now meek doesn’t mean you are weak, even though the two words sound similar.
The truth is, meekness and weakness are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Meekness is nowhere near weakness. In fact, the Greek word for meekness literally means “strength under control.”
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 harnessed for its master’s use.
God doesn’t want you to be weak, but he does want you to be meek. The Bible teaches that meekness is one of the keys to stress reduction in your life.
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).
Here’s a simple definition of the word “meek”: Let go and let God. That is the essence of meekness. It’s 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 begin to practice it in your life, it will relieve stress, eliminate worry, defuse anger, and end your hurt and resentment.
And as you submit to God, you’ll actually become stronger.
If you find yourself struggling today, start to develop meekness in your life. Let go, and let God.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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