Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that is instrumental to remaining in faith during times when the waters get rocky. It gives us a steady and reliable reminder that God is always in control and in Him we can do all things.
Kindness reminds us that no matter how different we are, we are all still God’s children. We cry the same, laugh the same, hurt the same, and smile the same. We know what it is like to make a bad decision and feel the consequences of it. We also know what it is like to have someone who genuinely is happy about our successes. So instead of saying “can’t relate” how about we choose to “relate” a little more by being kinder.
Harvesting goodness in our life requires work just as harvesting any fruit. It encourages us to serve those who are often overlooked by the world’s standards and humbles our spirits. God has given us all gifts and blessings in our lives and He wants us to share those with His people. Thessalonians 3:13 encourages us in times where doing good is more difficult than others, “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” Let’s nurture the fruit of goodness in our lives and continue to let God’s light shine through our works for His glory.
Even in your storm, God still offers you peace. Though, proper nurturing of this fruit requires us to give our worries and fears to God and choose to let go of our control even when we don’t understand. When we choose to sow God’s peace into our lives, even on the hardest of days, we harvest so much more than a clear mind and light heart, but a stronger relationship with Him.
Whenever we are extra gentle with anything in our life, like holding a brand new baby, it is because it holds some sort of value to us. Maybe you are gentle with your great-grandmother’s jewelry that has been passed down to you or the first love letter your partner wrote to you. Our gentleness comes from the thought that this object or person has some type of irreplaceable importance in our lives that we want to take care of.
“I love you!” I said before hanging up the phone. Today I got the chance to talk to my mom after work, but now that I think of it, I say the phrase a lot throughout the day. Sometimes it is my grandma after I check in with her while other times, it is after a long vulnerable moment of encouragement with my best friend. The phrase encompasses so much more than my feelings for a special person in my life. To me, “I love you” radiates a cocktail of “be safe,” “you mean so much to me,” and “I appreciate you in my life.”
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5: 22-23
