Galatians 5:22-23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
I pondered over this scripture the day before New Years. I wanted to choose a characteristic that I could pray for maturing for 2020. I struggled. If I choose self-control, I knew that I might be challenged all year with issues that demanded more self-control. If I focused on kindness, would I have to bite my tongue and be kind to people I did not want to be kind to? And patience- am I ready for the drama?
Then it hit me. When I would get anxious over illness, finance, etc I have been repeating to myself to trade in Faith for Fear and Worry for Worship. It is a personal need. I realized that in my effort of choose one of the fruit to mature in 2020 I was experiencing an example of paralysis that takes place when I am FEARFUL.
So, I choose to be Faithful and by the POWER of the Holy Spirit mature in ALL of them!
There are times when I have little patience. I am unkind, feel no joy and in grief do not have peace. In relationships sometimes not kind and not always oozing with goodness.
My husband looked over my shoulder and reminded me that it is indeed FRUIT and not FRUITS. Ah, that makes sense! I no longer need to stress over which one to choose. LOL
I need to not only look to the Lord to mature the fruit in my life but learn how to make banana bread and other goodies when they get ripe. To create from the fruit that is ripe that will satisfy the taste for sweetness and bring happiness to others seems like a good challenge for this year.
What about you? How have you decided to deal with the fruit of the spirit in 2020?
Happy New Year
