Fruitful

“But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“We are taught to abandon our hearts without end to these things! We cannot reach a level of kindness [love...joy...peace...] that is too great!” Instagram, Julie.thedesigntwins, October 21, 2018

When I read Julie’s post, her words and this scripture impacted me in a way like never before. Suddenly, my mind was boggled - and for days I pondered the thought that NOTHING can stand up against these Spirit-given fruits.

Paul said "no law"...that means not just man-made laws - but the laws of human nature, psychology and psychiatry, social norms, culture, and more! Nothing can stand up against reckless love, limitless joy, astounding and unexplainable peace. Or against patience that defies belief; kindness at no cost; goodness for no reason and without motive. Nothing can stand against faithfulness toward those who are faithless, against our trust in God, against our faithfulness to Him. Or against gentleness in the face of harshness and hurtful actions, words, and attitudes. And ALL come to us as we walk with Him, not from our own power or strength, but as a result of becoming more and more like Him. What the world calls “self-control” we know is anything but!

Often I say "all I can do is pray and love". All I can do? Now I realize that praying and loving is everything! There is nothing that can defeat God or the love with which He empowers me. Yes, often I need to add hands and feet to my actions, but always I must start from a place of thoughtful prayer and God's-love-lived-out-through me.

Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Healing - emotional, spiritual, mental, physical - can come from such things. For ourselves and for others. The laws of life, personality, trauma, experience, nurture, nature, education, poverty, abundance - cannot stand against these.