Thursday, July 22, 2010

why I need the fruit of the Spirit

I've been praying for the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). Here's why I need it.

  • Love: to enable me to put others' needs above my own, even when I'm aching to have my needs met.
  • Joy: to remember God's salvation and blessings when I'm moaning inwardly as I go about my tasks.
  • Peace: for all the times I'm tempted to worry about the future, and so I can encourage my children to be peacemakers.
  • Patience: when I don't think I can bear another request, argument or complaint and I want to scream at my kids to make them stop.
  • Kindness: to help me creatively and generously care for my family and those in need.
  • Goodness: a commitment to doing what's right, even when it would be easier to fudge the boundaries.
  • Faithfulness: to persevere when the days feel long and weary, and I'm tired of putting one step in front of the other.
  • Gentleness: so I'll bite my tongue and speak loving words that build up, not cutting words that tear down.
  • Self-control: without this, no other obedience is possible. I find myself praying for this most of all!

image is from our Sunday school lessons on the fruit of the Spirit

2 comments:

Rachach said...

HI Jean,
I enjoyed your thoughts on the fruit of the spirit. I've been praying them for myself too!
Love Rach
PS How are you going this term? Are things any less hectic?

Jean said...

Not majorly less hectic at the moment but soon ... my article will be done and life will settle down a bit for a while! How are you going?