Momentum: Pursuing God’s Blessings Through The BeatitudesPrimjer

Three Strategies for Cultivating Meekness

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones… meekness." Colossians 3:12

1. Moderate your expectations of others.

[God] knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:14
God remembers our frailties; we should remember the frailties of others. It’s easy to assume that all Christians are committed, ready for sacrifice, and living by faith. When this isn’t the case, we can get frustrated. Remember, every Christian is a sinner in the process of redemption and recovery.

2. Find joy in evidences of God’s grace.

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

In a new housing development, you look at one house and think: “This is going to be something!” You look at another, and say: “Will this hole in the ground ever amount to anything?” Christians are like houses at different stages of development. None of us are yet what we will be, so rejoice in every evidence of progress. Find joy in what God is doing in others.

3. Remember how much you’ve been forgiven.

Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 2 Peter 1:9

One of the qualities that Peter lists is “self-control.” Meekness is strength under control, and a person who lacks this quality can’t see all that God has done for him. So, remember how much you’ve been forgiven, and you’ll grow in meekness. Matthew Henry says in his book, Quest for Meekness: “If God should be as angry with me for every provocation as I am with [others], what would become of me?”

For further reading, see 2 Peter 1:3-9