Photo courtesy of Flickr So as I lay awake in bed in the middle of the night (this morning), I began to reflect on my behaviors, attitudes, actions and thoughts lately. In particular, God showed me that I have fallen way short in the areas of patience and self-control (in many areas of my life). I snap at my kids, my husband. I then berate myself for snapping. I recently joined a Fit by Fall challenge, and I have been eating like a madwoman ever since! I, again, berate myself for lacking self-control. Nothing comes fast enough. Everyone is on my last nerve, including me!! :}
So I was laying there wondering, Where has my patience gone? My self-control? God gently reminded me that these two characteristics are fruit of the Spirit. [Edit: After re-reading this post, I realized that it is not just those two characteristics I'm lacking. I'm lacking in all of the fruit of the Spirit. If I am lacking in one of those areas, I am lacking in all of them. They are all intertwined. I've never looked at it like that before! Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes.]
Well, friends, I have not been tending to my Spirit. Like a garden, my Spirit must be cultivated. I've barely touched it in the past couple weeks. I went on vacation, brought my Bible with me and never even took it out of my suitcase. Just like I can't expect my flowers to bloom if I don't water them and feed them, I can't expect the Spirit within me to bear the fruit God so desires for me if I don't feed it the Word of God.
So I go into this Thursday, and invite you to join me, with Galatians 5:22-26 close to my heart:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
10 comments:
So true. I needed to hear this today. thanks.
Fruits of the Spirit is something that requires a lot of work...I completely understand
Good thoughts Dana! To me it is sort of like a fruit salad. You can't have a good salad if you only have oranges and banannas! They will taste like each other, one will taste like the other and basically there will be something missing!
Thanks for the encouragement on my blog! I have enjoyed poking through your blog!
Wow that hit a nerve. Almost brought me to tears. Thank you so much for sharing, it's exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you!
And about the challenge - I am exactly the same way, becoming way too hard on myself. I've learned to take baby steps and take it moment by moment, forgiving myself as God forgave us "while we were still sinners." :)
This is exactly what I needed to read :o) I've been struggling with my tongue, I feel it has power over me and I can't control the angry remarks that I blurt out. I feel shame from all the comments that I've made and I beg the Lord for forgiveness every night...
... I keep wondering why I have no control over my mouth!
But your post was another reminder from the Lord that I need to crack open that Bible :o) okay okay point taken God!!
Thanks!
<3 Martha
"Like a garden, my Spirit must be cultivated. "
wow....did I need to hear that today!!!!
thank you.....so much!
xox
I know God just spoke to me through your post. I often think about how the fruits of the Spirit are sandwiched between Love and Self Control....It is so easy to love those that love you and well self control....UGH!
I joined the challenge too as you know and I have not really started it yet. I am going to do WW with a friend on Wednesday we are starting the class. I hope this time I can find a teacher at WW who can motivate me, most of them are so boring that is one thing that WW needs to change, otherwise the program is awesome.
I totally can relate to your post so you are not alone, I need Jesus everyday to help me. He convicts me all the time...and I know that conviction is because He cares and wants to make me more like Him. I don't think it is always you berating yourself, it is sometimes the Holy Spirit. I think in some areas I want perfection and that is just not going to happen so that is when I snap.
I would also like to start studying Proverbs. Seems there just are not enough hours in a day for all the things I want to do but reading God's Word must come first...Thank you for this post, I don't feel so alone.
Tending our spirits while on vacation is quite difficult. Everything's a jumble and routine has intentionally been tossed out the window.
Thanks for visiting my blog AND leaving a comment!!
Such an encouraging post for me. I can so relate with you feelings, all of them. I love that scripture and it is one I can't seem to keep in front of me enough. Thanks for the encouragement!! I've enjoyed your blog so much today.
Hi,
Coming over from the challenge! What a great post! We should be more forgiving of ourselves! There is always room for improvement when it comes to being more like the Lord!!
What a great post! Loved it!
Good luck on the challenge! I look forward to shrinking with you!
~Rhonda~
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