Fee Foot the Gentle Giant

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

Philippians 4:5

Let your 

gentleness 

be evident to all. 

The Lord is near.

Here's the link to todays episode of the Cinnamon Bear. In this episode we meet Fee Foot or maybe its Fee Fo the Giant. He is big and scary but he turns out to be gentle, kind and helpful. 

http://www.radiolovers.com/shows/C/CinnamonBear/CINNBEAR371209e1132-22-mono12m41sFeeFootheGentleGian.mp3

The Dictionary of Bible Themes defines gentleness as "An expression of compassion, seen in God’s dealings with the frail and weak, and expected of believers in their dealings with others."

The Encyclopedia of the Bible has this to say "Christians who wish to lead a life worthy of the calling to which they have been called, are obliged, in imitation of their Lord, to forbear one another in love, with all lowliness, meekness, and patience (Eph 4:2). That is, they are to exercise calm patience under provocation, avoid resentment and retaliation, be slow to judge and punish, and be ever ready to forgive (Phil 4:5; Col 3:13; 2 Tim 2:24)."

Fee Foot and Frady Cat are a good example because gentleness is not exercised by the week or the powerless but by those with strength and power. Fee Foot is huge and could easily harm Cinnamon Bear and his companions. Fee Foot must choose to be gentle in his dealings with the week. He is happy for their company and is gracious and offers hospitality as well making sure they get food before continuing their journey. 

It is not because God is by any means week or powerless that He deals with us with gentleness. Like Frady Cat, as we see God's gentle kindness shown to us, we begin to trust Him. We begin to look to him to protect and care for us. We begin to love the sound of his voice and to know his character as we spend time with Him.  

Colossians 3:12-13 (NIV1984)

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

We are to in turn show the same gentleness, patience, kindness and compassion to others. How we live each day and how we treat the people around us each day is a reflection of how God has worked in our life. 

There are people who wrong us, disappoint us or who have harmed us in some way. We have been given the power to forgive as Jesus forgives. We have been given the power to pray and to speak blessing on the lives of others in the name of Jesus. You may see yourself as a Frady Cat just peeking your nose out of the button hole of God's coat. Like Frady Cat we have become friends of God. When we see a need or concern we are able to point it out to the Lord with confidence that he will hear us. We have access to God that others who do not know him don't have. Because we are His we have access to his great power. Matthew 16:19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”  

How are you doing with showing others the gentleness of the Lord by your words and by your actions? 

Do you see yourself as powerful in Christ or as a weak, broken victim of circumstance in need of God's mercy? 

Do you really believe your prayers on behalf of others makes a difference? 

Are you praying binding and loosing prayers that are impacting the world around you? 

Prayer: 
Lord I pray that you would help us to see places regarding our gentleness to others that could use some improvement. Lord it is by your power that we are able to change and to conform more and more to your image. Teach us about your gentleness as we go through this day. Give us opportunities to show gentleness to others. Help us to really believe that our prayers are making a difference.