let your gentleness be evident.

Do you ever have one of those mornings when you just wake up in a bad mood? On the wrong side of the bed, per se. If you are shaking your head "No" then you are in denial, my friend. Worse than Cleopatra, who apparently is the queen of it.

Well, this morning was one of those mornings for me. I don't know if it was because of bad dreams I had while I was sleeping, something I ate last night, grinding my teeth, or what. But I just woke up this morning feeling down, discouraged, doubtful, and all around not-so-good. Let's just say, my gentleness wasn't being very evident.

When I have moments like this, often the last thing I want to do is run to God with it. I think to myself, "Ick, I don't want him to see me like this. Let me pull myself together and then I'll pray about it." Haha, who am I kidding? It makes me laugh that sometimes I still think that I can hide things from God. HILARIOUS.

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Finally, I got over my selfish pride and went to God in prayer. And when I did, he put Philippians 4:4-7 on my heart. When I read it, my discouragement and doubt evaporated and was replaced with complete encouragement and joy. And then I felt led to share it with you. So here goes...

Philippians 4:4-7 [words in brackets are my own thoughts]

Rejoice [to be joyful + glad] in the Lord always. [even when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed] I will say it again: Rejoice! [this must be very important if he had to say it again]


Let your gentleness be evident to all. [to all = even the people who are hard to be gentle to, or who are not gentle in return] The Lord is near. [near enough to reach out and touch, even when we're in a bad mood or think he's not looking, he's there.]


Do not be anxious [concerned, disturbed, apprehensive, fearful, uneasy, worried] about anything, but in everything [EVERYTHING], by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving [the complete opposite of complaining], present your requests to God. 


And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding [is more excellent than we could ever imagine], will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.