Meekness Does Not Equal Weakness
By Rick Warren
“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’s 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 begin to practice it in your life, it will relieve stress and eliminate worry. If you let go and let God, it will defuse anger and end your hurt and resentment.
If you find yourself struggling today, start to cultivate meekness in your life. Let go, and let God.
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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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