“But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.” (1 Thessalonians 2:7,8)
Gentleness is a fruit of God’s Spirit. (Gal. 5:22) It evidences love and patience and temperance. The gentle are not those who don’t want anything from those around them; they are those who have the strength to wait. Such strength must come from God.
In ourselves we are harsh and impatient with others. We push and pressure and drive them toward the goal we have in mind. But people simply do not thrive and grow in such an environment. They may respond to turn away our wrath, but when change is fear-based it will only be external and short-lived.
We must go beyond crafting people to our liking. God has His own ideal of beauty and righteousness and glory for His people. But He bears long with us and is gentle toward us as we grow up in Him. He communicates through His tender love how dear we are to Him. Let us do the same to all those around us.