I’ve always been told I’m “too nice.” If something is wrong with my food at a restaurant, I won’t say anything – unless they served actual garbage and the server punched me in the face – and even then, I’d probably still hesitate to speak up.

I’ve always admired people who handle confrontation with confidence, people who stand up for themselves without shaking inside. “They’re so strong,” I used to think. I wished I could be that bold one day, and I assumed that as I got older, I would magically grow into that version of myself.

Fast forward to 30 – and no surprise – I’m still the girl who avoids confrontation at all costs. I’ve been told to toughen up, develop thicker skin, and stop being “too nice.” For a long time, I believed my gentleness was a flaw. I believed meekness was weakness… until I met Jesus.

What Jesus Says About Meekness

In the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, Jesus teaches the very attitudes that lead to spiritual strength and blessing.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5

For years, I thought being meek meant being timid, passive, or easily walked over. I didn’t want to be meek – I wanted to “stand on business,” as the young kids say. I associated meekness with inferiority and a lack of confidence.

But Jesus clearly values meekness. So I had to ask: Why? What does meekness really mean?

Meekness Defined

Biblical meekness means strength under control.

It reflects gentleness, humility, patience, and surrender to God’s will – not weakness.

The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 paints a picture of what meekness looks like lived out:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control.

Those qualities require restraint, emotional maturity, and spiritual strength – none of which are easy.

Learning to Respond with Strength – Not React from Emotion

Have I ever lashed out in anger? Yes. Have I had moments where I wanted to and didn’t? Also yes. I’m human.

But I can tell you this: the times I reacted impulsively or let my anger lead, I didn’t feel powerful afterward – I felt awful. I’d walk away thinking, “I could’ve handled that better.”

That conviction isn’t shame – it’s the Holy Spirit gently pruning away traits that don’t reflect Christ and replacing them with patience, peace, and self-control.

It’s growth.

It’s sanctification.

So Yes – I’m “Too Nice.” And I’m Meek.

But I am not weak.

I choose to handle hard conversations with grace and peace – not because I’m afraid, but because my strength is submitted to God.

When I walk away from a difficult situation knowing I didn’t give in to anger, pride, or impulse – I know I didn’t give in to my will, but His.

Meekness isn’t shrinking back.

It’s standing firm with gentleness.

It’s choosing peace over power.

It’s being strong enough to respond with grace instead of reacting with force.

And that – in God’s Kingdom – is strength.

“You will know them by their fruit.” – Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)

1. You will face adversity – maybe even more than before
   • I used to think that being a Christian would make things easier. And in some ways, it did. There is a sense of peace, comfort, hope, and purpose I feel now that I didn’t before. But, I didn’t know that choosing Him would feel like learning to walk on water. In today’s world, people are too comfortable mocking Jesus and His followers. I used to be uncomfortable about my faith when I first got saved, but now I am a proud believer in Christ, and nobody can shake my faith in Him.
2. The conviction will hit you hard – and that’s a good thing
   • I’ll admit, after I got saved, I still held onto things my old self enjoyed – secular music, TV shows, and media. And the conviction felt like guilt – but I realized it was God’s love. His correction is not condemnation – it is His kindness pulling me closer, saying, “I have more for you than this.” I learned to trust that He wants my heart and my healing, not my perfection.
3. You will fall short – again and again
   • I used to think that I would somehow arrive at godliness. That the old sins or habits would magically disappear after salvation. But sanctification is a journey, not a destination. God doesn’t run out of grace for me, even when I run out of it for myself. He knows every mistake I’ve ever made – and will make – and He still chose me.
4. You won’t always feel Him – but that doesn’t mean He left
   • There were some days where the silence from God was deafening. I felt like I did something wrong or wasn’t doing enough, and maybe He gave up on me. But faith isn’t a feeling, it’s the truth. And the truth is – God is steady, and even when I’m unsure, He is there with me, even in the silence. I love the poem “Footprints” as a gentle reminder that He carries us through the hardest times. (P.S. – if your Bible is closed, God will feel distant)
5. It’s okay to grow slowly
   • I thought I had to become the perfect Christian overnight. I would get upset that I couldn’t quote scripture off the top of my head, and I didn’t (and still don’t) know all of the Bible. The reality is, I’m not a Bible scholar, and I don’t have to be. The simple fact that I love and accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior is enough. Everyday I am learning how to walk more like Jesus, and when I inevitably fall short – He is waiting for me, saying, “It’s okay. We can walk together slowly.”

Walking with Jesus is a brave thing to do, especially in today’s world. And never once have I regretted my choice to surrender my life to Him. I have faced opposition, been challenged about why I believe in Him, felt judged for having my faith, but I would choose all of it – again and again – because Jesus truly is the way, the truth, and the life.

Amen? Amen.