As I was writing my last blog about how God grows the Fruits of the Spirit in us in the midst of difficulties, I kept thinking about restoration. Whenever restoration is mentioned in the scriptures we see opposites-joy for mourning, strength for weakness, salvation for sin, healing for sickness, beauty for ashes. If restoration is God’s gift to bring good out of everything the enemy intended for evil in our lives, wouldn’t it make sense that the fruits of the Spirit would be fruits of restoration.
Understanding the lies we believe about God, ourselves, and others helps to renew our minds. But what about our emotions? Again, the answer is in the fruits of the Spirit. Tamara Patterson from River of Life Church has a really good message about this. You can find it at
https://www.facebook.com/RiverofLifeCorpusChristi/videos/1284210381616590/
But for now, I will just share a brief summary about what I received from her message.
Keep in mind that love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, and self control are fruits OF THE SPIRIT. That means that they are imparted to us by the Holy Spirit, not through our own understanding or efforts. The Bible tells us that we have not because we ask not, so as you read the following I would encourage you to ask for the fruit or fruits you need at this time.
When in fear-ask for revelations of God’s perfect love
When you are anxious-ask for peace
When you are depressed or sad-ask for joy
When you are frustrated or angry-ask for patience
When you feel rejected-ask for opportunities to show and receive kindness.
When you feel less than or flawed( usually because of abuse, legalism, or perfectionism) ask for revelations of God’s goodness
When you feel like hiding your true self or are harsh to others out of self- protection- ask for gentleness.
When you feel out of control because of behavioral choices, entitlement, or feeling like a victim- ask for self-control.
God loves to meet us, heal us, restore us, empower us, and to bless us with good gifts. Ask Him to show you what fruits you need at this time. Then open your heart and receive.
May you be abundantly blessed!
Jeannie
“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law”.(Galatians 5:22-23 ESV).