Is your head throbbing tonight as if you've spent the whole day banging your head against a wall? "Why can't I get through to people? Why don't they listen or do what they're told? What more can I do?" you moan.

When God says something once, it's important. When He says it twice, it's crucial. Today He showed me two separate scriptures which say, "Thy gentleness hath made me great..." (2 Samuel 22:36; Psalm 18:35). I also received a vision of Jesus and His disciples in a boat. It was the scene in the Bible where the apostles had been fishing all night and caught nothing. Jesus called to them. "'Friends, haven't you any fish?' 'No,' they answered. He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.' When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish" (John 21:5-6, NIV).

For our purposes, let's say there are two ways you can influence (or catch) people. It can be done through the power of the flesh, banging your head against the wall, or through the power of the gentleness of His Spirit. As the prophet Zechariah said, "'Not by might, nor by power; but by my spirit' sayeth the LORD of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6).

Have you been trying to get things done by casting your "net" out the wrong side of the boat...the side of fleshly power or control? If so, try fishing out the other side...the side of His gentleness. You may be astounded at the "catch"!

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Spirit of gentleness, through which You want to make me great. Help me to recognize that gentleness is power and to stop trying to control or influence people by the power of my flesh. Thank you for the victory over fleshly force...not by might, nor by power, but by Your Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.