The Upper Room 15 February 2022 Daily Devotional || Tuesday Message
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A Gentle Heart
Piyumi Kapugeekiyana (Western Province, Sri Lanka)
TODAY’S READING
Matthew 11:28-30
KEY VERSE: Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. – Philippians 4:5 (NIV)
The Upper Room 15 February 2022 MESSAGE
I am a driven person. I thrive on achieving new things and checking items off my daily to-do list. I was competitive early in my childhood, even over simple games like musical chairs. As I grew older, I began to believe the message that we must always bring our best to everything we do, and even that we must always be the best.
In many ways I have been rewarded for my drive throughout my life. But what few people know is how hard I am on myself. I can be my own worst critic, examining everything I say and do for flaws. I scrutinize my performance at work, at home, in ministry, and in my relationships. And I expect more from myself than anyone else ever does.
Lately God has been showing me another way. Jesus had a difficult mission to accomplish, but his approach made all the difference. Jesus had a calm and gentle spirit, and from this wellspring of divine love flowed acts of kindness, healing, and restoration. I think God wants us to pursue worthy goals and plans. But first, God wants to show us that how we go about pursuing them is just as important.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear God, as we pursue goals in life, teach us to be gentle with ourselves and others. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
When I am weighed down by self-criticism, I will remember to be gentle like Jesus.
PRAYER FOCUS
People who are hard on themselves
The Upper Room 15 February 2022 Daily Devotional. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More