We know the verse by heart, yet living out the Fruit of the Spirit can feel nearly impossible—especially when we’re running on our last nerve.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” ~ Galatians 5:22-23
Yet there is hope! Check out this simple idea Tauna shared with me several years ago:
I was having a hard mommy day. Okay, maybe it was a week. Or even a month. Feeling worn out and discouraged, I reached out to a dear friend and asked her for prayer. Her faithful prayers always lift me up, and this time, she responded with something even more—an encouraging note with a passage she had read in her devotion.
A Simple, Life-Changing Practice
The excerpt she sent came from Edges of His Ways: Selections for Daily Reading by Amy Carmichael. It shared a story about Dr. F.B. Meyer, who struggled with irritability as a young man. An older mentor told him that when the feeling came, he should silently say: “Thy sweetness, Lord.” By doing this, he could replace irritation with a Christlike quality.
The idea is simple but powerful: when a temptation arises, ask Jesus to show His fruit in your life.
- Untruth → Thy truth, Lord
- Unkindness → Thy kindness, Lord
- Impatience → Thy patience, Lord
- Selfishness → Thy selflessness, Lord
- Roughness → Thy gentleness, Lord
- Discourtesy → Thy courtesy, Lord
- Resentment → Thy kindness, Lord
I started using this immediately. When frustration bubbled up, I whispered: “Your contentment, Jesus.”
When I felt the urge to raise my voice to my children: “Your gentleness, Jesus.”
When worry crept in: “Your peace, Jesus.”
When I wanted my way: “Your selflessness, Jesus.”
When lies from the enemy attacked my mind: “Your truth, Jesus.”
The author encouraged trying this practice for a day, a week, a month—just test it and watch and see what God does.
A Gentle Challenge
Now it’s you turn. What is the one area that you need to start with? Frustration? Tone and sarcasm? Worry? Selfishness?
Then fill in the blanks for yourself:
When I am _________ → Your ______, Jesus.
As soon as that feeling bubbles up, pause and ask Jesus for His character in the situation.
Such a simple, yet profound idea. Some days will be easier than others. But remember that you don’t have to be perfect—just willing to yield, one moment at a time.
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Tauna loves her family and loves God. She writes at ProverbialHomemaker.com.
