Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
-- Philippians 4:5

How can we be gentle, how can we restrain from over-reacting
to the wounds, offenses, and slights that come our way? The
Lord is near! He is our vindication. He is our example. He is our
comfort. He is our hope. He is our strength. We are not alone and
our destiny, reputation, and value are not up to us to establish or
to defend.

O LORD, my God, please be ever near me as I seek to be
your person of character in the middle of the chaos and conflict
around me. I ask that your presence be made known and that my
character reflect that presence in all that I do and say today, and
each day that follows. In Jesus' name I pray.