Meekness, Uprooting Anger
Meekness, Uprooting Anger. Growing in virtue is what happens when our conscience becomes more and more penetrated by the truth that the Lord perfectly provides for and protects us within the loving boundaries of how He has called us to live. We needn’t struggle and strive to earn a sense of value. He poured His very Self out for us to reveal His love for us and redeem us. He knows everything about us, far more than we could ever hope to know ourselves because it is He who made us and created us in love! This is the foundation of living a life of Divine Intimacy. These truths are the superabundant supply for what our hearts are longing.
Transformed by this reality, we realize we don’t need to protect ourselves. We become less and less fearful and self-reliant for protection. Eventually, we come to realize that regardless of what tragedy might ever befall us, the Lord will use it for our good. I think of the example of St. Stephen being stoned and how Scripture tells us his face was like that of an angel while it was happening. His was a tremendous example of not responding in anger but meeting circumstances with meekness.
Meekness is said to be “strength under control”. He found that strength by remaining united to the Lord trusting in His protection that is so thorough death has no power over it. He patiently endured the ignorance, violence, and hostility knowing he didn’t need to rely on himself. He trusted instead in God. That can sound extreme! What? We can even die, and God is still in control, in charge, and using even that for our benefit??? Absolutely! That is exactly the example Jesus gave us! He trusted in His Father and now sits at His right hand in glory for all eternity.
We, too, can grow in meekness and let go of the burden of self-reliance when we stay grounded in the reality of Jesus’ love for us. Let’s not feel like we need to engineer our own sanctification. It’s a lie and a trap. Self-reliance is self-reliance. Let’s instead rely on the Holy Spirit Who is the Sanctifier! Let’s seek to surrender to Him in everything and so be transformed by Him through whatever comes our way.
May the Lord give you peace!
Margaret
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