Gentle Influence

A few days ago I was having an amazing discussion with a friend of mine on what may be one of the causes people tend to avoid growing Spiritually.

I later came across “Our Daily Bread” and read “Gentle Influence” written by Randy Kilgore.

It was like he was in my head; and super awesome to feel affirmation to what I truly believe is one out of the many reasons why people stay away from growing spiritually.

He wrote about Theodore Roosevelt Jr. becoming ill which he would later recover from; His father was left with wanting to understand why his son has fallen so sick?

It definitely wasn't what Mr. Roosevelt Sr. would have expecting to hear from the Dr. thats for sure.

I promise I will get to the point very soon!

The Dr. informed Theodore Roosevelt Sr. that his son was suffering from “Nervous Exhaustion” caused by him.

Post illness, Theodore Roosevelt Sr. had pressed on Ted (T.R Jr.) to become who (He) his father wanted for himself in his younger years but was unable to do.

Roosevelt Sr. promised himself “Hereafter I Shall never press Ted either in body or mind”

And Mr. Roosevelt was a man to his word. From then on he ensured to monitor how he treated his son to avoid making the same mistake again.

How many of us either experienced something similar or have done it to someone?

A lot of the times we mean well but there are times its not received the way it was meant to be taken.

Or sometimes we mean what we say and are completely careless to how it can effect the person.

No Bueno…….

Randy Kilgore goes on by also writing;

“God has entrusted each of us with influence in the lives of others. We have a deep responsibility in those relationships, not only to spouses and children , but to friends, employees, and customers. The temptation to press too hard, to demand too much, to force progress, or to orchestrate success can lead us to harm others even when we don’t realize it. For this very reason, followers of Christ are urged to be patient and gentle with one another (Col. 3:12). Since Jesus, the Son of God, came in humility, how can we withhold such kindness from one another?

Colossians 3:12–17

“Clothe yourselves with Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience.”

What can we do to ensure we do better in order to be better in efforts to provide a better outcome?

We can start by implementing & influencing;

Compassion,

Kindness,

Humility,

Gentleness,

and Patience.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” Henry Ford.