“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
How do you actually increase your knowledge of God, and build the wonderful qualities mentioned in the Fruits of the Spirit? Many people say, “Don’t ever pray for patience, because God will test you!” True, but if you ask God for patience, He is going to give you the ability to grow patience. He doesn’t just give you the Fruits of the Spirit, you have to practice them, by seizing opportunities.
Grace is free and God freely gives to His children, but once you have received His wonderful grace, you want more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He doesn’t just hand these qualities over to you, you have to put in a little elbow grease and do the necessary work, by watching for opportunities to embellish these gifts.
You may ask God to show you how to love more deeply and to be more gentle with others. Other times, God simply puts the opportunity for growth in front of you, as you face an unexpected situation in life.
My friend has been thrust into this situation head on. Her granddaughter continues to choose a life on the streets, rather than working a job and doing what is best for her and her son. My friend continually asks God to give her loving words and a gentle approach. She is preparing for the opportunity to speak with her granddaughter. Opportunity being the key word in this situation. She has to be prepared to show love, kindness, gentleness and self-control when her granddaughter calls once again, because if she doesn’t, she may push her further into a life on the streets.
You may be called to be faithful to your spouse, your loved ones, or your Lord. It doesn’t just happen…it is a result of an opportunity. When tempted, do you fall into temptation, or do you remain faithful? God gives you the opportunity to choose, and you need to be prepared and make your decisions based on godly wisdom.
Life flies by each of us with great speed. Rather than stressing during trials, you need to pray for wisdom in all situations. Psalms 90:12 says, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”
The difference between stressful situations and spiritual growth is your perspective. Rather than seeing life as one trial after another, see your circumstances as an opportunity from God to further your spiritual growth and enhance the Fruits of the Spirit. So, “let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. (Colossians 2:7).
I’ve followed you for years Mary, since we first met in Emmaus. I so enjoy your words of Wisdom and the way you relate to the every day life things we all share. God is so good. 🩷
Thank you Bertie. So sweet of you…as my ministry verse, Romans 1:12 says, “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” Thanks for the encouragement!