You are one of a kind and God is guiding your life from the inside out. As we mature spiritually, He also enables us to mature emotionally. Spiritual strength combined with emotional maturity makes it possible for you to live a controlled life over an extended period of time.
So what does your life look like from the inside out? Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22 -23."But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These spiritual and emotional character qualities are the product of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life, just like fruit is the natural product of a fruit tree.
If you were to rank yourself on a scale of 1 - 5, 5 being the degree in which you do see this quality and 1 being the degree in which you do not see this quality, how would you do? I will admit th
at I am a work in progress, which my graphics for the day demonstrate.
So what does your life look like from the inside out? Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22 -23."But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." These spiritual and emotional character qualities are the product of the Holy Spirit's presence in your life, just like fruit is the natural product of a fruit tree.
If you were to rank yourself on a scale of 1 - 5, 5 being the degree in which you do see this quality and 1 being the degree in which you do not see this quality, how would you do? I will admit th
at I am a work in progress, which my graphics for the day demonstrate. I believe that God is chiseling, hammering, and perfecting me every day. Some days I don't realize it until I look back in retrospect and other days, it down right hurts! When we pray for more patience in our lives, God doesn't strike us with an increased amount of patience the next day. Instead He gives us situations in which to develop and mature our patience.
A few summers ago, the girls and I did a bible study on the fruits of spirit. That summer vacation we had stopped for gas in a tiny, congested gas station and Milo was trying to maneuver the van through the tight quarters. His patience was being tested and he screamed out in frustration. Madison, who was 6 at the time, from the back seat, quietly said "Dad, the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and SELF-CONTROL." Putting strong emphasis on the two qualities he was lacking at the time. We all laughed, including Milo and it was a great example of how speaking scripture can immediately change your attitude in a situation.
As I reflected on those qualities it was interesting because for about half I was able to rate myself at either a 4 or a 5, however the other 4 pulled in only a 2 or a 3. The ones needing some work were patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. My selfish nature kicks in pretty good some days and I will have to admit that when I get focused on something any distractions truly test my level of patience and often times not for the better.
I also have been praying for God to soften my heart for people in need, to develop my gentleness. I sometimes have an attitude of 'If you need to change your situation, then do it!' I don't stop to realize that some people have lost complete control over their situation and truly need the compassion of others to sustain them for a while. This was readily identified during a mission trip that our family took a few years ago. It was hard for me to have compassion in my heart and I really struggled with not having that emotion. Since then God has presented
me with other opportunities to serve others and although that egotistical attitude can rear it's nasty head, I have seen how God is softening my heart and compassion for others in need. He is giving me a desire to want to do more, which sometimes I have to stop that think, 'WOW, that is really Him working in my life, where did that feeling come from?'
So while we are all at different development levels in the growth of the fruits, Paul is quick to remind us in verses 25 - 26 that, 'Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.'
Don't play the comparison game, God is at work in each of us and we are growing and maturing at different paces. Stay tight to Him and He who started a good work in you, WILL bring it to full fruition on the day that Christ returns!
Keep on keeping on, YOU are one of a kind!
Blessings,
Jill
A few summers ago, the girls and I did a bible study on the fruits of spirit. That summer vacation we had stopped for gas in a tiny, congested gas station and Milo was trying to maneuver the van through the tight quarters. His patience was being tested and he screamed out in frustration. Madison, who was 6 at the time, from the back seat, quietly said "Dad, the fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, PATIENCE, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and SELF-CONTROL." Putting strong emphasis on the two qualities he was lacking at the time. We all laughed, including Milo and it was a great example of how speaking scripture can immediately change your attitude in a situation.
As I reflected on those qualities it was interesting because for about half I was able to rate myself at either a 4 or a 5, however the other 4 pulled in only a 2 or a 3. The ones needing some work were patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. My selfish nature kicks in pretty good some days and I will have to admit that when I get focused on something any distractions truly test my level of patience and often times not for the better.
I also have been praying for God to soften my heart for people in need, to develop my gentleness. I sometimes have an attitude of 'If you need to change your situation, then do it!' I don't stop to realize that some people have lost complete control over their situation and truly need the compassion of others to sustain them for a while. This was readily identified during a mission trip that our family took a few years ago. It was hard for me to have compassion in my heart and I really struggled with not having that emotion. Since then God has presented
me with other opportunities to serve others and although that egotistical attitude can rear it's nasty head, I have seen how God is softening my heart and compassion for others in need. He is giving me a desire to want to do more, which sometimes I have to stop that think, 'WOW, that is really Him working in my life, where did that feeling come from?'So while we are all at different development levels in the growth of the fruits, Paul is quick to remind us in verses 25 - 26 that, 'Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.'
Don't play the comparison game, God is at work in each of us and we are growing and maturing at different paces. Stay tight to Him and He who started a good work in you, WILL bring it to full fruition on the day that Christ returns!
Keep on keeping on, YOU are one of a kind!
Blessings,
Jill
Jill, great reminders! Blessings!
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