Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (NLT)

Sometimes we become discouraged because of a momentary lapse. Guess what? We are all human and prone to slip at least occasionally. Just check out my post from yesterday and you will see that I am very human. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t saved, loved, and forgiven. Thank the Holy Spirit for helping us recognize when we veer off-course so that we can course-correct and continue moving forward in His strength (Phil 4:13).

Over the last week or so of the 31 days writing challenge, we learned about five character traits the Holy Spirit is building in believers: love, patience, peace, faithfulness, and self-control. Today, join me as we pause together before moving forward with the next four: gentleness, kindness, goodness, and joy.

Pause. Just be still with God (Ps 46:10).

Pause. Take in what the Holy Spirit doing (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Pause.  Meditate on Bible verses. Here’s a list to help you get started.

Pause. Create a space for His overflow (Romans 5:13).

I invite you to join with me in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart today. Build a stronger relationship with Him. Borrow my prayer or simply speak from your own heart. He will hear you.

Lord, would you allow me to feel Your presence today so that I might understand in what area I am falling short? Help me to lean into those hollow places and find You there. Remove pride and discontent from me, as I understand they are barriers to progress and energy for the enemy. Help me to put on a new self today and every day so that I can experience all that you have for me.

Conform me to Your image. I give you all the glory, Lord, for Your transforming power. You are the master gardener. I know Your fruit doesn’t grow overnight. But slowly, so that it takes root in my mind, will, and emotions. I trust you, Lord, to complete what you started (Phil 1:6). In Jesus’ name. Amen

I welcome you to share your prayers or scripture verses here, in the comments.

Thank you, friends.

Go to the Table of Contents to read more posts in this series as they go live.

It’s October so this must be time for 31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free-Writes. The event is hosted by Kate Motaung over at Five Minute Fridays. We write daily for five minutes, or maybe a bit longer. The point is to write. Kate provides writers with a one-word writing prompt each day. Today the prompt is JOIN. 

Here’s a list of bible verses specific to each fruit of the Spirit from Bible Reasons.com.

Picture credit: Canva with a little help from me.