Yesterday I asked you to vote on whether Sammy or Melanie won the award for a "gentle and quiet spirit." Are you ready for my vote? "/>

Part 2: A "Gentle and Quiet Spirit" Exhibit

posted by Paula Hendricks on 07/22/10 | Twitter: @PaulaWrites678
Category: Myself; ; 11 comments

Hey, girls!

Yesterday I asked you to vote on whether Sammy or Melanie won the award for a "gentle and quiet spirit." Are you ready for my vote? I pick Sammy!

Are you surprised? I think Mary Kassian will help you understand. In her book Girls Gone Wise In a World Gone Wild, she says:

"Calmness is the second characteristic of a Girl-Gone-Wise. Most translations use the word quiet to describe this attitude of serenity and tranquility. Being calm girl by pondmeans being settled, firm, immovable, steadfast, and peaceful in spirit. A calm disposition is like a still, peaceful pool of water, as opposed to a churning whirlpool that's agitated and stirred up."

Isn't that a great word picture? While Melanie was a "sweet, quiet thing," her stomach hurt due to anxiety. She wasn't like a peaceful pool of water, but a churning whirlpool.

Mary Kassian also says, "Quietness has more to do with the state of our hearts than the quantity and volume of our words (although the one definitely influences the other). Even women who are gregarious, extroverted, and sociable can achieve a calm, tranquil spirit."

That's why I picked Sammy. She may snort and talk in an "outdoor voice," but she loves God and people. Her heart is at peace—even though she's "gregarious, extroverted, and sociable."

Not that you have to be like Sammy. "Sweet, quiet" girls can have a "gentle and quiet spirit" too. I just wanted to challenge your perception of what this could look like. You don't have to have a personality transplant in order to achieve "unfading beauty."    

But if you don't have this kind of disposition, how do you get it? The secret to this beauty that is so precious to God is found in the next verse:

For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful (1 Peter 3:5).

Did you catch that? This kind of response to life is possible when you hope in God. When you trust in His love and care for you.

If you don't trust God like this, the best way I know to change that is to get to know Him—His love for you, His powerful working in History, His promises for your future. You'll get to know Him as you dig into His Word, and ask Him to grow your trust in Him.

Thanks for playing, ladies. I pray that every day we will become more and more beautiful to God—and others—as we put our hope in God, do what is right, and do not give way to fear.

Comments

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    Cassie
    =D
    on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 11:06 am
    I really liked the way you explained that Paula! =D Doesnt Melanie have somewhat of a gentle and quiet spirit tho too? I know its not alot, but doesnt she????
    AnnaKate
    Hooray!
    on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 11:27 am
    I'm so glad there is hope for those who possess outgoing personalities to have quiet and gentle spirits! :)
    monica
    Re:
    on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 2:27 pm
    I've been finding that out more and more lately that the secret to a gentle and quiet spirit and even to happiness is putting your trust in God and relying totally on him. Good post:)
    libby
    confused
    on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 4:24 pm
    so, i really want to have a gentle and quiet spirit, but I'm more like Melaine. As in you could be describing me. I really want a gentle and quiet spirit but its so hard! I mean I love God and I want to do His will more than anything, but, I still feel far away from Him sometimes and I don't feel like I have that peace that some people say they have! Do you think maybe that I need to give myself more time and that it will grow gradually as I get into His word more? Idk, I get really confused sometimes.
    Miss Anonymous
    Re:
    on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 5:15 pm
    Thanks Paula that makes sense. I'm trying to spend everyday with Him now
    Cheyenne
    Yay!
    on Thursday, July 22, 2010 at 9:23 pm
    Yay!!! I guessed right! But I have to agree with Cassie... it seems like Melanie has somewhat of that spirit too... even though maybe not as much as Sammy...?
    anonymous
    another side
    on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 10:18 am
    While i do think you are right about Sammy being the meek and quiet one because she had peace and Melanie was always nervous and couldn't be bold through Christ. I do not think that it is very ladylike for girls to be loud and showy. You did not mention this but usually my friends that are loud are the ones who have to be the center of attention, that is def not meek and quiet.

    I am so glad that Paula brought this up this week because this is something the Lord has burdened me about. It is so important for us to be true ladies and to be one who is meek and quiet of spirit, which is precious in God's sight.

    I know that our personalities are different, some are outgoing and some are more shy. I am not saying that being outgoing is a bad thing but we must be careful not to let our personality weaknesses overcome us. If you are an extremely outgoing, bubbly, loud person use this for good by being a friend to everyone and sharing Christ with those around you but don't let your loudness steal the show by needing to be the center of attention. If you are shy and maybe a bit insecure then let God give you the strength to be bold for Him.

    If you search the Word of God you can find all kinds of things about being a true woman of God. I know my post kinda jumped around a little bit, hopefully everyone can understand it. Thanks, Paula, for sharing with us about having a meek and quiet spirit.
    Katie
    Sammy
    on Friday, July 23, 2010 at 10:50 am
    I agree. Sammy definetly has the spirit. Melanie does have sort of that spirit, but I think you would be able to see it better if you looked at Sammy. You would be able to tell that Melanie was not conpletely at peace. :)
    Ari
    Hum
    on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 7:52 pm
    Interesting
    Michelle
    Hey guys!
    on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 11:24 pm
    When I read the first post on this I figured that it was Sammy. First, because when someone quizzes you on something, the answer is usually the one that you don't expect. =) But secondly, because if you have anxiety problems, then that isn't gentle and quiet. When my sisters read this they said, "Oh, doesn't Sammy sound like Michelle?" I do tend to have a spirit like Sammy, although we live in the city I ride four-wheelers every chance I get! That does encourage me though, before I wasn't sure if I could be a tomboy and have a "Gentle and quiet spirit" but now I feel a little better. Thanks for the challange!! I had fun!!
    Ruslan
    ZsWtQdfOLHJE
    on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 5:10 pm
    I literally jpumed out of my chair and danced after reading this!

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