I had a college professor who was fond of saying, “The meek shall inherit the DIRT!”
I get what he was saying, but that’s not really true. Meekness isn’t about being weak or letting others walk all over you. It’s about trusting God to fight your battles, even when everything in you wants to push back. It’s about letting go of control, laying down your weapons, and allowing God’s strength to shine through your surrender.
Confessions of a Former Control Freak
Years ago, my husband was in a tough work situation. I could see how unhappy he was, how undervalued he felt, and I hated it. So I did what I thought any good wife would do: I jumped in to fix it.
I researched job openings. I sent him “helpful” articles about changing careers. I peppered him with suggestions every chance I got: networking ideas, resume tweaks, even which places to call. I thought I was being supportive.
But the truth? I was anxious and uncomfortable watching him struggle. I didn’t trust that he was handling it “right” or moving fast enough. So I took matters into my own hands.
And it blew up in my face.
He got “the job” I wanted him to get, and it turned out to be a miserable mess. People there were shifty and dishonest. In the end, he only lasted there a few months.
I prayed with tears in my eyes: “Lord, I don’t want to be this way. I want to let go. I want to trust you more than I trust myself.”
It wasn’t easy, but little by little I learned to step back, pray more than I spoke, and let my husband lead. And you know what? God provided. In ways I could never have orchestrated, he opened doors and gave us peace.
Where are you clinging to too much control?
What Would You Rather? (Meekness Edition)
Let’s play a little game!
You know the classic “Would You Rather” questions—fun, silly, and sometimes impossible to answer. But these questions aren’t just for laughs; they’re designed to make us pause and consider how meekness might challenge the way we usually respond.
Would You Rather…
- Speak up and risk being misunderstood…
or stay silent and trust God to defend your heart? - Win the argument and prove your point…
or preserve peace in the relationship, even if you’re “right”? - Be known as strong, capable, and impressive…
or be known as gentle, humble, and peaceful? - Take charge and make sure things get done “your way”…
or let someone else lead, even if it means things turn out differently? - Hold onto control because it feels safer…
or surrender and let God write the story?
Let’s Reflect
Which of these felt easy for you to answer? Which ones made you squirm?
Here’s the hard truth: meekness often requires us to let go of the need to be seen as right, strong, or in control. It’s not natural; it’s supernatural. Only with God’s grace can we learn to trust him so fully that we don’t have to grasp for power or recognition.
Where might God be inviting you to embrace meekness in your life today?
This post first appeared on Danielle Bean’s Girlfriends and is reprinted here with permission.
Image: Unsplash
