Meekness Does Not Equal Weakness

Current Teaching Series Life's Healing Choices

Meekness Does Not Equal Weakness Rick Warren — August 16, 2018 "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5 NIV). If you want to make healthy choices to be well and whole again, you have to learn to be meek. Matthew 5:5 says, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (NIV). The Bible lists many benefits of meekness: The meek will be satisfied (Psalm 22:26); God will guide them (Psalm 25:9); they will become wise (Proverbs 11:2); they will be filled with fresh joy (Isaiah 29:19). There are many, many other benefits. The problem is, we misunderstand this term. We don't really know what meekness is. In fact, we often confuse it with another term that sounds like it — "meek" sounds like "weak." Nobody wants to be weak, so nobody wants to be meek. But the truth is that meekness and weakness are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. Meekness is in no way weakness. In fact, the Greek word for meekness literally means "strength under control." To be meek is not to be weak. It's used to describe a wild stallion that has been tamed. That stallion still has all the strength it had when it was wild, but now its strength is under control. It is strength bottled up for the master's use. God doesn't want you to be weak, but he does want you to be meek. The Bible teaches that it's one of the keys to stress reduction in your life. Here's a simple definition of the word meek: Let go, and let God. That is the essence of meekness. It is surrendering, submitting, and agreeing to what God wants to do in your life. It's letting God be God in your life. Let go, and let God. I don't know a phrase that will do more for your health physically or emotionally than this phrase. If you'll begin to practice it in your life, it will relieve stress and eliminate worry. If you'll let go and let God, it will defuse anger and end your hurt and resentment. PLAY today's audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk About It Where in your life do you especially need to surrender so that God can take control? What can keep you from practicing meekness and submitting your life to God? How does giving God control defuse anger and resentment?

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Series Summary Session 1: The Reality Choice Session 2: The Hope You Need for Change Session 3: Letting Go and Letting God Session 4: The Housecleaning Choice Session 5: The Transformation Choice Session 6: The Relationship Choice Session 7: The Growth Choice Session 8: The Sharing Choice Session 9: Breaking Free from Abuse Session 10: There's No Recovery without Prayer PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST

Pastor Rick Warren

Enjoy today's Devotional? Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio. Did someone forward this devotional to you? Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional. This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at pastorrick.com. Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He's the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life, which has been translated into 137 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. Update your preferences | Unsubscribe