some encouragement.

do you ever read the fruits of the spirit list and think, dang it! i am half of that one...none of that one...a little of that one...i really need to work on that fruit.

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things... Galatians 5:22-23

the problem is, we forget the first part of that verse. but the fruit OF THE SPIRIT is...

that means, you can't just wake up and will yourself to be more patient. you can't wake up and promise that you won't overeat today. you can't be less and angry and more loving just by speaking this verse to yourself. it might help you for that hour, but eventually, you can't keep it up. you fail.

it sounds contrary to what is preached generally, but i love how the easy to read version puts it,
But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is ...

those fruits come from the spirit working inside of you, producing good fruit. you don't produce it! and that means, you can rest from trying harder. rest in the work that he is doing and has done on the cross.

so i just sit there and disobey? no. when you run to the cross, you can't help but see your sin and repent. so we don't just identify. ugh, i'm so angry all the time! i have no patience with _______.
this list is the law. the law is good to help us see how we don't match up...we just can't. but we aren't saved by law, we're saved by grace.

go where the grace is.

when we identify the problem and repent to God, something supernatural happens. Lord i see this about me and i am helpless to change. i am sorry that i sin against you first and then my children. please rescue me from my sin. you're my only hope to change.

who gets the glory for any change that happens? God.
who does the changing? God.
where do your eyes go when you keep falling into the same sin? God.
who bears the burden for the sin regardless of whether you change or not? God.

NOT YOU.

sometimes working sin out takes a long time and sometimes He changes you quickly. His timing is perfection and he's in charge. sometimes, we just keep running to the cross for the same sin over and over. but the cross is where the goodness is at. our dependence and salvation from ourselves is displayed in one awful and wonderful act on that tree that only one person could do: Jesus. not jami.

if you're tired and weary from trying so hard. hear the good news of the gospel! rest IN HIM, not you trying to change yourself, your husband, your friends, or your kids. it will free you to enjoy them so much more this valentine's day.