Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything… (Philippians 4:5-6a).

Spiritual stability and strength for the Christian is produced as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit produces within us the virtues of peace, joy, humility, faith, and thanksgiving, which form the right attitudes we need to remain steadfast in our lives. And when these virtuous attitudes are combined with right thinking and a regular practice of doing, our lives will be marked by spiritual strength and stability.

Today’s devotion will focus on the virtues of humility and faith. Let’s begin with the command to Let your gentleness be evident to all (Philippians 4:5b). The word-for-word translation of this command in English has rendered various interpretations. The word gentleness can refer to our contentment, reasonableness, big-heartedness, goodwill, magnanimity, leniency, or charity towards the faults of others. Accordingly, it could refer to our ability to indulge all the failures of others without being personally offended, unkind, bitter, retaliatory, or vengeful.

So, let’s just use the phrase “graciousness of humility.” When you have that sort of virtue, you don’t demand your rights. Rather, you humbly and graciously accept it when you don’t get what you deserve, or when you get what you don’t deserve. When you can bear with the failings of others and overlook how their conduct can adversely affect you, you’re becoming a stable person.

The second virtue is all about our faith and trust in God. Philippians 4:5b says, The Lord is near. The Lord is near to His people in terms of both time and space. When you have a thought, He’s close enough to read it. When you whisper a prayer, He’s near enough to hear it. And when you need His help, He’s near enough to provide it.

We have to understand who this Lord is who is near. How often do we know what the Bible says about God, but we panic when calamity comes? This happened to David when he faced possible death before Achish, king of Gath. Rather than trusting in his God to save him, David took matters into his own hands and faked insanity to rescue himself (1 Samuel 21:10-14).

When doubts and uncertainty arise, remind yourself what you know to be true about God. Isn’t He eternal? He self-exists in unperturbed tranquility, not influenced by anything or anyone. He’s also holy. Therefore, He’s too holy to make mistakes. He keeps His promises; He cannot lie. And He is almighty. Everything He purposes comes to pass. With that kind of God on your side, what is there to fear?

By Jim Connell

Jim is the founder and retired director of Lexington Rescue Mission and the author of JesusIsLordBlog.com