This is leading 10. And I'm Chris Moore. Let me start with the question. What if the strongest leaders are actually the gentlest? Now, that might sound upside down. In our world, strength often looks loud, forceful, or even aggressive. Think about how leadership is usually portrayed, commanding the room, taking control, speaking boldly. Gentleness doesn't often make the highlight reels, but Proverbs 15, one tells a totally different story. A soft answer, turn it away. Wrath, but grievous words, stir up anger. Let's break that down. It doesn't say a clever comeback turns away wrath. It doesn't say raising your voice fixes conflict. It says a soft answer. That's gentleness, that's strength, but under control. Gentleness is usually not our first instinct when tensions come up. Uh, when you're stressed, when someone's being difficult or when you've already had one of those days, you're extremely frustrated. What comes natural is being short, sharp, or defensive. We think snapping back shows we're in charge or allows us to take charge, but most of us don't regret being too gentle. We regret being too harsh. Maybe you've sent that frustrated email or text or said something you wish you could take back. I've been there. We all have. But gentleness, gentleness builds trust. Gentleness helps keep relationships open. It's not weakness. It's another part of growing in wisdom. It's restraint. It's actually strength that that part of self-control and the frustration that you get when you're surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Think about Jesus. He had all authority, all power, and yet he led with compassion. He welcomed children. He forgave failures. He washed feet. He never needed to raise his voice to prove his strength. The gentleness of Jesus was not a flaw, even though there are some in the world that believe that it was actually part of his power. God doesn't just suggest gentleness. He models it. Over and over again in scripture, God chooses patience over punishment. He speaks with kindness instead of condemnation. He met Moses' fears with reassurance. He restored Peter after his failure. He draws us near, not by scaring us, by, by loving us. Romans chapter two, verse four even says that it's God's kindness that leads us to repentance. You know, for God's children, he doesn't yell at us to get our attention. He whispers, he woos and he waits. That's the kind of leader he is, and if we are made in his image, then we're called to lead the same way as leaders. This verse reminds us we always have a choice, especially in conflict or high pressure moments. We can respond with a harsh word or a soft answer. We can correct with shame. We're coached with care we can demand or we can disciple. Gentleness doesn't mean avoiding hard truths. God doesn't avoid the hard truths in the Bible, and yes, he does punish, but for his people it means delivering truth in a way that someone can actually receive them. Let me say it clearly. You don't have to raise your voice to lead with authority. You don't have to dominate to gain respect. You don't have to be loud to be strong. I wish that all of you, uh, could have met my grandparents, uh, my mom's side, um, mamaw and pawpaw. A small voice, a look a soft word could silence a room of 20 to 30 of us at a family event, uh, waiting, uh, for a prayer. You don't have to be loud, you don't have to throw things, you don't have to shout. You can be the type of person that with a soft voice. People listen because gentleness doesn't erase strength. It focuses it. So how do we put this into practice? Well, let me just give you a couple examples. First, learn to pause before you react. Take that breath when you feel the pressure rising. Pause. Don't match the tension in the room when things are escalating. Don't escalate with it. Let the Holy Spirit take over and set the tone. A moment of quiet. It could prevent a mountain of regret, both for you and who you're talking to, and choose your words wisely. Use words that open doors, not build walls. Instead of, what were you thinking? Try help me understand what just happened instead of, you never get this right. Try. Look, I know you're capable of doing this, but what can I do to help? I. Gentleness is often just one sentence phrased with care instead of focused on criticism and let your calm be contagious to those around you, your team is watching you. If you handle stress with gentleness, they feel safer and more. Stable. When the leader is calm, the room settles. When you stay grounded, others grow. All you have to do is is talk to the, the many men and women that are in the military or have been in the military and you talk about who leads their group. It's the one who was calm in the storm, not the one yelling, maybe not the one in the front, not the one in the back, not the one on the radio. It was the person around them who was calm, who was grounded. And who always seem to know what to do and when to do it. Let's take a quick breath and and review. Proverbs Chapter 15, verse one shows us that a soft answer is powerful, it can turn away wrath. God models gentleness again and again through his kindness and patience with his people, and we're called to lead like him with gentleness that doesn't shy away from truth. We're not hiding the truth, but we deliver it with grace. Gentleness can diffuse conflict, it can build bridges and strengthen your leadership impact. So this week, the next time tension starts to rise, pause, just pause. Breathe and choose a gentle response. Let God meet you in that pause. Say a little prayer. You'll be amazed at what he can do with it. And here's something extra. Write Proverbs 15 one on a sticky note and put it somewhere visible. A soft answer, turn it away. Wrath. And if we could remember that more times than we talk to, to our teammates when we're having those one-on-ones, when we're having those project meetings. A soft answer, turn it away. Wrath. Let that be your reminder all week. Leadership isn't easy. You're juggling responsibilities, people performance, and maybe your own struggles too, but you don't have to lead like the world tells you. You can lead like Jesus. You can bring peace to pressure, calm to conflict. Gentleness isn't weakness. It's rare. And in leadership it's powerful. So be rare. Be one of a kind. Be gentle and be strong. Thanks for spending this time with me. If this encouraged you, would you share it with another leader? You can find more resources and support@leadintend.com. Uh, until next time, lead with grace. Lead with truth. And remember, gentleness is your strength. And its strength And action.