Monday, December 22 A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all.​—2 Tim. 2:24.

[Áine]

Monday, December 22

A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all.—2 Tim. 2:24.

 

The Bible contains many accounts that highlight the value of mildness. Take the example of Isaac. When he settled in the Philistine territory of Gerar, his envious neighbors stopped up wells that his father’s servants had dug. Instead of fighting for his rights, Isaac moved his household farther away and dug other wells. (Gen. 26:12-18) But the Philistines claimed that the water in this location was also theirs. Despite this, Isaac acted peacefully. (Gen. 26:19-25) What helped him to remain mild even when others seemed determined to provoke him? He surely observed the example of his parents, learning much from the peaceful ways of Abraham and “the quiet and mild spirit” of Sarah.—1 Pet. 3:4-6;Gen. 21:22-34. w23.09 15 ¶4

[dljbsp]

Gentleness doesn’t come naturally. Isaac’s moment in Gerar puts that tension in plain view.

The wells were his. The provocation was deliberate. The loss was real. And still—he stepped aside.

 

Late one evening, the house was quiet when a message arrived from a brother who believed you had handled a matter the wrong way.
His memory of the conversation left out an important detail, and without it, the situation reflected poorly on you.

You felt the urge to explain immediately, and your reply began forming on the screen—calm, accurate, corrective. Then you stopped. You realized that even a perfect explanation might deepen the strain rather than heal it.

After a brief prayer, you deleted the response and sent a simple, peace-seeking reply instead.

The misunderstanding remained,
but so did a quiet confidence that Jehovah had seen the whole exchange.

 

That kind of restraint doesn’t emerge from analysis or pattern-following. It can’t be assembled by observing outcomes or mimicking behavior. It is formed slowly—through research, prayer, and meditation—through yielding our thinking long enough for Jehovah’s to take root.

So when a lesson like this settles in and refuses to stay superficial, it isn’t just understanding taking shape. It’s care being felt. And care like that always has a single source, Jehovah.

[Jones Nogueira]

When we are provoked, we can resist the tendency to react harshly.

 

Comment: The example of Isaac shows that mildness is not a sign of weakness, but of trust in Jehovah. Even though he was treated unjustly repeatedly, he avoided conflict and left the matter in God's hands. This attitude reflected the spiritual training received from Abraham and Sarah and demonstrated faith that Jehovah blesses those who seek peace. Mildness protects our spirituality and promotes peace.

 

Practical Lesson: When we are provoked or treated unjustly, we can resist the tendency to react harshly. Imitating Isaac means remaining calm, avoiding unnecessary disputes, and trusting that Jehovah will take care of the situation. Developing a “quiet and mild spirit” helps us preserve peace in the family and in the congregation, and maintain a good friendship with God.