Rejoice in the Storms

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, December 15th, 2024:
Third Sunday of Advent

---

Philippians
4.4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

Today I am blessed to be able to recognize that the fruits of the Holy Spirit, particularly peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness, are hard at work in my life.  When people describe me, they often use adjectives like calm, level-headed, and steady. I appreciated being known as that but of course, didn’t stop to consider that these may be gifts intended for use with others. I also didn’t always appreciate the power of these attributes, especially when it meant I would often find myself working with leaders who were the polar-opposite because I was known to be able to bring calmness to chaos.

Years ago, I found myself working with someone who would often become angry. When that happened, this person could be quite abrupt and unkind in words and actions toward others. In these moments, I turned myself inside out, trying to figure out how to be more assertive, how to please, considering what I needed to change about myself, and what I could do to stop the angry outbursts. The only outcome was that I burnt out and left the environment altogether.

Looking back, I realize that while I prayed about the situation at the time, I didn’t fully invite the Holy Spirit into it, and when I did, didn’t leave it in His hands. I also realize that I saw my own calm gentleness as a shortcoming, and I actively sought to change myself.

Thankfully, the Lord is ever patient with this sinful child. He continuously provides ways to grow in relationship with Him, freeing and sanctifying me in order to appreciate and use the fruits of the Spirit that I have received for the benefit of others.

I recently encountered a situation that mirrored my experience from years ago.  When the anger and inappropriate behaviour started, my humanness kicked in for a minute before I remembered to inwardly call on the Holy Spirit and to listen to His still, small voice. The storm of the other person’s behaviour continued; however, the Lord allowed me to “let my gentleness be known”. Others impacted by this storm noticed my calm, which has led to conversations about faith, and in fact, the sharing of this specific Scripture passage which had been sent to me for this reflection in the midst of the storm. How grateful I am that He provides His Word, His peace, and the ability to share all of that with others precisely when it is needed.

Rejoice in the Lord always… and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Amen.




Sandy Graves

---