Fruit of the Spirit

Hello friends and family! It has been quite a while since I last wrote on this blog so I thought it was about time I return to writing. 

Credit: The Yay Project- Pinterest

The last few months have been beyond difficult for everybody. There has been a huge increase in suicides, drug overdoses and alcoholism. There has been division, fear, anger, isolation and violence. Families have been divided, friendships torn apart. But I want to talk about the goodness and faithfulness of Jesus. None of these negative emotions come from God. The fear, the anger, the frustration, the violence. God gave us a beautiful illustration of how to live our lives with the fruits of the spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patients, Kindness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Goodness and Self-Control. These are the pillars in which we are to live our lives, despite what is happening around us. 

In Mark 12:31 God commands to "Love your neighbor" He doesn't say "Love your neighbor if they believe the same things as you" or "Love your neighbor who looks like you" or "Love your neighbor who votes the same way as you" No. He commands us to love everyone regardless of their political affiliation, their religious beliefs, the color of their skin, how they raise their kids, etc. 

I am going to be raw and vulnerable here. The last few months have been horrendous for me. I have had more panic attacks, more tears, more thoughts of self harm than I have ever had before. But I couldn't let Satan win. Not today Satan, not any day! Instead I sought out a new therapist who listens to my concerns and who reminds me of just how valuable I am and how precious I am to God. I started new healthy habits, I started to drink more herbal teas, I do more yoga and try to set intentions for my day everyday, I started a bookclub with a close friend, I have reached out to State Representatives and Senators to start important discussions and find out how I can be an active part in helping and advocating for our community, I have connected with old friends, started healthy and much needed conversations and have grown and come to accept that I can not control the world around me. 

This world can be dark, it can be unethical, stressful, anxiety-filled, frustrating and anger-inducing. But WE are the light of the world. God is our truth. We are commanded to not be "of this world" and to love others unconditionally. The fruit of the spirit is my favorite example of how to live our lives in a broken world. So remember, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. Against such things there is no law.