“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

Statistics don’t tell a complete story, yet they can broaden our perspective. Looking at the fruit of patience after considering some cultural norms, I am more inclined to look into a mirror rather than looking out the big picture window of life. Consider these numbers…

96% of Americans consume food or drink, knowing it’s too hot, rather than wait.

More than 50% of people hang up in one or less minutes after being placed on hold.

71% of us exceed the speed limit every time we drive.

Our pastor, who shared these statistics, admitted to being in all three categories. If I’m honest? Of course. My patience limits have increased as I’ve aged, but I had an extremely short fuse as a younger woman. Patience is considered a virtue by many and most importantly, it is a fruit of the spirit. The combination of patience with the power of the Holy Spirit is phenomenal. Ask God to show you how and where you can strengthen your patience muscle.

"And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Kindness. The be kind campaign is a good thing, however, our Creator designed us to be kind. Human beings treating one another with kindness is one of the things we were made for. When the kindness I express to others or even to myself, is generated with a strength beyond my own, lives are changed. Ask God to provide opportunities to show kindness in ways that you’ve not experienced before.

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:31

Don’t live a conflicted life, do what Jesus actually commands. Live an authentic, not a perfect, life.

Window and mirror analogies are often used primarily because it’s something the majority of people readily identify with a concept. Have you ever found yourself looking out a window while observing someone else’s life? Maybe you thought you knew all about their life or at least thought you knew what brought them to a certain point. And then you discovered how terribly wrong you were. A mirror instantly replaces the window and the reflection looking back at you is nearly unrecognizable.

Just like joy and sorrow can coexist, so can kindness and cruelty. In me. I understand (still don’t like it) that while I live in this physical body, there will be this battle between my spirit and my flesh. My spirit desires the fruit of the spirit and my flesh wars against it.

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil." Matthew 12:33-35

I will be known by my fruit. Either good fruit that honors God and edifies others, rotten fruit that is a glaring contradiction, or no fruit. A life void of eternal significance. How tragic that would be.

“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