 On the list next for the Fruit of the Spirit Study is Self-Control. It is tempting to keep scrolling. Who wants to read about self-control right?
In an earlier post for the Fruit of the Spirit Series we stated, “ Love is the foundation that is required to grow joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control”. The fruits of the spirit are so intertwined. To really love others you have to be joyful, be kind, be peaceful, have goodness, and have faith! To be joyful you have to practice the other fruits. Faithfulness also is fed by kindness, patience, and self-control. Being filled with the Holy Spirit can be thought of as having a basket full of these fruits!
0 Comments
Many years ago, while I was driving home from a doctor’s appointment I heard God speak to my heart. The words forever changed my understanding of my place in this world. I had been battling chronic pain and health issues and refused to continue on a medication that just left me feeling not like myself. I was having a real conversation with God. I was frustrated and realized how easily so many people fall into reliance upon medication that doesn’t necessarily bring about a solution, but only numbness. I remember yelling out to God, “Why do people even consider this choice that could potentially lead to addiction and even more problems in life?” God gently spoke words that resonated with every part of me. “They do not know what to do with their pain.”
Flash back to November, 1996. I was pregnant (verrrrryyyy pregnant) with Allyson. We all knew something was wrong. I was gaining 8 pounds a week and the doctor wasn’t doing anything but telling me I was eating too much. I was scared. That’s an understatement. Some of you know this story and know this could have ended so much differently than it did! God had me in his hands then and had a plan! We all have those songs that just push straight through to our hearts even in the business of the day. “Breath of Heaven” is one of those songs for me.
 One day recently, we found ourselves in deep conversation during an impromptu dinner break from a busy day. We all have those times that the conversation trends more toward “God sharing” and these are true blessings during a tough day. On this particular day, we were in the planning stages of what seemed to be God weaving a ministry opportunity into our lives. A more accurate description of these ministry planning days might be that God was dropping a huge well-wrapped gift right into our already crazy, hectic lives. The Holy Spirit showed up more times than we can count to guide us into no more or no less of his plan.
|
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed