A Meek and Quiet Spirit

Do you have a meek and quiet spirit?

I struggle with having a meek and quiet spirit. I complain....a lot. I fuss at the kids....a lot. I lose my patience...at everyone...a lot. I don't feel that I have the kind of attitude that God would want me to have.

I am working on this. If this is a problem area for you as well, I would encourage you to look at a few verses with me.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

"I" can do "all" things....everything....through Jesus Christ......He strengthens me. God will never give me anything that I can't handle. When I am stressed out the main reason generally is fear. I am afraid that I won't get everything done. I am afraid that I will be late, or that everything won't be prepared. I fear failure. But in Philippians we have this promise that God will be with us, standing with us, helping to bear our burdens. And lets face it, what is more important, being on time for another practice or the character/training of my children? I think that my children should come before any outside activity. My boys have been given to me by God to raise, they are my ministry. I should not neglect my ministry.

Teri Maxwell writes in her book Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit (www.titus2.com) that the key to our meek and quiet spirit is time with the Lord Jesus. Do you get the time you need to refuel your heart from God? I know that very often, I don't. I always think of a million other things that I can do with that time. God's word and time in prayer with Him is the most important thing!

Psalm 119:105 reads "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." How can God's word lead you if you are not receiving it daily? How can Jesus come into our hearts everyday if we are not talking and listening to Him?

2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteous: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
---Look at what the word of God can do for us! It leads us, guides us, corrects us, teaches us. From God's word we learn the importance of having a meek and quiet spirit.

Philippians 4:6
"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Prayer and study of God's word can aid us in having a meek and quiet spirit. Teri Maxwell says "Plan to read your Bible each day.......I like to record what I read each day, plus copy out one verse that has personal meaning to me. Then I take it a step further and write out why I chose that verse.........A prayer journal is important too."

I have been reading my Bible many days. I find that the days that I do, I am calmer and more able to accept "interruptions" as they come. I feel less anxious and there is joy in my heart. I don't have a prayer journal right now, but I have kept one in the past, and feel the Lord leading me to start another one. I like to see my prayer requests written out with their answers beside them. Many of my prayers have been answered, but sometimes we forget! It is wonderful to have a remind of God's grace and mercy in our individual lives. I have a PINK highlighter that I am using to mark the verses in my Bible that seem to be "speaking" to me. God uses His word to speak to us.......I think that it is about time that I listen!!!!!!