Andrea Lea
Joy Davidman, C.S. Lewis’s wife, wrestled with huge trials throughout her life—all the way to her early death from cancer at age 45. She learned there’s a big difference between saying to God, “Your will be done,” and, “Fine, have it your way.”[1]
When we are confronted with circumstances outside our control, we are tempted to an angry resignation: “Fine, have it your way.” But a trusting humility before God and His ways fuels deep peace. This gentle submission, otherwise known as meekness, is an unexpected but important way to fight for peace during trials.[2]
If you are anything like me, the trial that is COVID-19 has spotlighted some cracks in your life. And as life-disruption wears on, the pressure may be making these gaps more obvious. It’s tempting to think that demanding more control in key areas will generate peace. But true peace doesn’t come from a sense of control. Peace is fueled by meekness, the quiet submission of our souls to God and His will. Here are three ways to grow in meekness so peace can flourish in our homes and hearts:
The Meek See the Choice
The meek realize they have a choice in how to respond when their desires are not met. They don’t lash out in anger and complaint. They know they can turn to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving instead of turning to grumbling and self-pity.
Jude, the brother of Jesus, describes people who don’t see this choice as “grumblers and malcontents” (Jude 1:13, 16). They seem to believe they have a right to complain and rage when they don’t get what they want. They choose to follow their own sinful desires instead of following God in trust and thanksgiving.
We grow in meekness when we see we have a choice and move toward God in prayer instead of tossing out harsh critiques of God’s ways. Prayer can compose our souls and bring us into submission to God’s path, even when we are uncomfortable and inconvenienced. The childless Hannah struggled with irritation and despair as her husband’s second wife constantly taunted her. She longed for her barren circumstances to change. She poured out her trouble and grief to God. And before God answered her prayer, her soul was quiet because she knew God had heard and was with her (see 1 Sam. 1-2 and Ps. 62).
The Meek Reject Self-Righteousness
The meek recognize the slippery slope of self-righteousness that disrupts peace in hearts and homes. They see how their haughty hearts are quick to find fault and are easily outraged when their plans are disrupted. They know they are prone to excuse their irritability by pretending their idolatrous desire for order and control is noble.
The meek fight for peace by rejecting this self-righteous irritability. As we turn to the only Righteous One, we see our patient God who freely gives us a clean record and a warm welcome long before we are perfect (Rom. 5:1-5; 8:1; Col. 2:13-14). So, in imitation of Him, we can overlook the faults of others, or we can gently reprove without anger or clamor (Eph. 4:31). The meek reject the pride that claims to know best and to always do what’s right. Instead, the meek extend gentleness and grace because they know the One who graciously forbears with them even though they are beset with weakness and sin (Heb. 5:2).
The Meek Embrace Patience
Oxford’s English Dictionary defines patience as the “capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.”[3] The meek accept trouble and hardship for one fundamental reason: they recognize that God is the Author of their circumstances (Isa. 45:7). God really does work all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11; Job 42:2)—even when we don’t see how things could possibly bring glory to God and even when we are in pain (Isa. 46:10; 2 Cor. 1:8-9). When we trust God’s goodness and power, we can patiently endure the circumstances He has ordained. God gives the grace to patiently bear trials as we fix our eyes on His steadfast love and discipline ourselves to trust Him.
During this season of uncertainty, circumstances seem engineered to disrupt our plans. But growing in meekness can fuel our peace even when our preferences and desires remain unfulfilled. We can calmly see the choice we have to trust and give thanks, to reject self-righteousness, and to embrace patience. No matter what the day holds, we can say with peace, “Your will be done.”[4]
Question for Reflection
What passages from God’s Word are fueling your peace during this pandemic season?
[1] Patti Callahan, Becoming Mrs. Lewis (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018), 161.
[2] For verses on meekness see: 1 Peter 3:4, 3:15; Titus 3:2; James 1:21, 3:13; Galatians 5:23.
[3] Oxford English Dictionary, “Patience,” https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/patience (accessed 5/14/20).
[4] For an excellent treatment of meekness, see Matthew Henry’s The Quest for Meekness and Quietness of Spirit (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2017).
Andrea Lee
Andrea Lee serves as a biblical counselor for women at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. She has a Masters of Arts in Biblical Counseling from The Masters University. Andrea has been married to her husband, Darien, since 2006.
Posted at: https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2020/07/27/three-ways-meekness-fuels-peace/