Blessed are the Meek 温柔的人有福了
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”
Author: Rev Paul Tong
But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace.” (Psalm 37:11)
The power of meekness is like water, being soft but its constant dripping can penetrate through stone and its quenching power can suppress fire burning in forest areas. Stone is a metaphor of a heart-hardened person and fire is of an angry person. It means that a soft tongue will persuade a hardened heart and turns away wrath (Pro 25:15; 15:1).
In God’s eyes, a meek person is like a prince who will inherit the earth. Holy Spirit dwells in us and grants us meekness to tame our inner anger, bitterness, and resentment in order to build or rebuild a relationship with friends or foes. Jesus demonstrated to us the example of meekness: On the day when Jesus knew that Judas intended to betray him, he still washed Judas's feet (ref. John 13:10-11). If we cannot let go of the wrong others did to us, we will always live in disappointment, anger, frustration, and resentment and become vengeful. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29).
How can we become meek?
1. Learn to trust God more
Abraham was meek. His meekness demonstrated through the choice he had made when he faced a conflict with his nephew, Lot. They lived at the place between Bethel and Ai where God blessed them abundantly. When their flocks and herds and tents increased that the land could not support both of them dwelling together and the quarrelling was aggravated between Abram's herdsmen and Lot’s. By faith, Abraham said to Lot, “Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers" (Gen 13:8) God delighted in him and granted the whole land of Canaan (Gen 17:8)
Therefore, you need to learn to trust God in the midst of conflict, believing that God will work for the good of those who trust Him.
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”
2. Learn to speak gently.
2.1 Quick to hear
You may step over the boundary of others unknowingly because of the different expectations due to differences in age, gender or culture. For example, parents will easily become aggressive and controlling when they demand success from their children. It means you need to be more open to hear intently the voice of your brother’s heart, in order to identify and respect his boundary but not to do things stepping over it.
2.2 Slow to speak
Sometimes, the words or tone in our speech can be provocative. So, speak slowly can give you more time to think before saying anything. The slower pace of speech can also exhibit gentleness and avoid mishearing.
2.3 Slow to anger
Anger can hurt both yourself and others. It doesn’t even solve any problem. So, learn to be open-minded in communication that you may not jump into conclusion so quickly. This helps to detach you from habitual anger when a conversation makes you feel unpleasant.
God bless you with peace in mind and spirit. Always believe that things will get better as God is in control. Wait upon God with a gentle heart, and communicate with people with gentle words.
“温柔的人有福了！因为他们必承受地土.”
作者：董明汉牧师
诗篇37:11有类似的应许 - “但温柔的人必承受地土，以丰盛的平安为乐。”在神的眼中，温柔的人就像一名将继承大地的王子。
温柔，就像水一样。虽然柔软，但其力量能穿透石头，也能抑制燎原烈火；柔软的舌头会打碎刚硬的心，也能熄灭怒火（箴25:15; 15:1）。
神要我们以温柔的方式生活。因为温柔有驯服愤怒，伤痛和不满的能力。这样的力量，能重建与朋友，甚至与敌人的关系。在这方面，耶稣就给我们作了美好的榜样。比如，当耶稣知道犹大起了背叛他的意图时，他仍为犹大洗脚（参约13:10-11）。如果我们常为了他人对我们的亏负揪心，就会经常失望，愤怒，沮丧和怨恨，内心变得消极与冷漠。耶稣说：“我心里柔和谦卑，你们应当负我的轭，向我学习，你们就必得着心灵的安息（马太福音11:29）。
如何操练温柔？
1. 更多的信靠神
亚伯拉罕在与侄子罗得发生冲突时所做出的选择，就显示了亚伯拉罕的温柔。在伯特利和艾之间，两家的仆人为了放牧羊群的草地，发生争吵。亚伯拉罕就对罗得说：“你我之间，切不可纷争；你的牧人和我的牧人之间，也不可纷争，因为我们是至亲。”（创世记13:8）上帝喜悦亚伯拉罕出于信心的选择，就赐给了他迦南全境（创世记17:8）。我们需要学习信靠神，相信神会叫那些信他的人得益处。
2. 以温柔回应人
“我亲爱的弟兄们，这是你们所知道的，但你们各人要快快的听，慢慢的说，慢慢的动怒”（雅各1:19）。
2.1 快快的听
我们很容易在不知觉，或没有恶意的情况下，说了不该说的话，而伤害了他人。这样的伤害是由于年龄，性别或文化的差异而导致对他人的不同期望或看法，不知道界限应该怎样划。例如，父母在渴望孩子成功的过程中可能会越界，干预和控制孩子个人的选择。因此，在这样的情况下，我们需要开放自己，听取对方的心声，尊重他人的权利或界限。
2.2 慢慢的说
在我们讲话时，我们需要谨慎所使用的语气和字眼，因为某些语气和字眼可能会引起听者的误会。而说话速度慢，可以让你有更多时间思考，也能表现出一定的温柔，并避免听者误听。
2.3 慢慢发怒
生气容易伤害自己，也会伤害他人。况且，愤怒并不能解决问题，只有思想开明的沟通，才可以解决。所以，保持开放和温柔，完成倾听的过程后，才做出反应。这有助于帮助你摆脱习惯性愤怒。
神赐福你，给你心中的平安，并相信事情会得以改善。你的好处和结局神掌管。所以，要以温柔的心，等候神，以温柔的言语，与侵犯你界限的人沟通。