“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 NIV
Life is the great “exposer.” No matter what we say we are, or even what we think we are, life’s pressures expose our true nature. Our responses to the events of life are a window into who is in control of our life. If we are responding in anger, impatience, jealousy, selfishness, etc., we are not under the Spirit’s control. God uses pressure to show us who we really are. Sometimes that’s not a pretty picture. The good news is that we have God’s Holy Spirit living in us, and He is able to change us from the inside out. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what our responses to life’s pressures should look like: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” In other words, our responses should look like Jesus! Does that seem impossible? Apart from God, it is. The Bible tells us that He alone is able to keep us from stumbling (Jude 24). That “stumbling” certainly includes our responses. Today, let the pressures and frustrations of life be an opportunity for God to show Himself powerful in your life. Let us be reminded of the words of Hudson Taylor “It doesn’t matter really how great the pressure is, it only matters where it lies. Never let it come between you and Jesus. Then, no matter how great the pressure, it will only serve to press you to His breast.”
PRAYER THOUGHT
Holy Spirit, let Your fruit shine through when we are under pressure.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Holy Spirit, when we are under pressure in life, may Your fruit be revealed through our lives to others. AMEN
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE READING ASSOCIATION (IBRA)
Ephesians 5:15-20
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