Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. ~Unknown
Some consider fruits of the spirit to be taken in only a religious context. Whether you are religious or not, you have been bestowed with these same gifts. It is up to you to use them.
Fruits of the spirit are not seasonal.
They are ours for the picking all year long.
We are each gifted with the ability to love. Most of us illustrate unselfish concern for others on a daily basis.
Peace resides within each of us. We must learn to quiet ourselves to feel it. Once you find serenity of the soul you never want to let it go.
Joy lives in our hearts. It is a deep faith of knowing there is good in this life and delighting in it. When we put our hearts into life and live each moment fully, joy finds us.
I think forbearance is often misunderstood. I used to think it meant I was supposed to suffer. Now I feel I need only practice patience and exercise the ability to endure in the face of adversity.
Kindness is one of the first things we are taught as children. We all enjoy being around pleasant people. Naturally we are all inherently good. When we exercise compassion and respect we are showing kindness.
Goodness is an air of integrity. We live a life of love and generosity in action.
Faithfulness stems from dedication, a commitment to trust. We are secure in our beliefs and consistent in our behavior. We are responsible for our actions.
Gentleness is a beautiful virtue of the soul. It doesn’t take extreme effort to be tender, considerate, and fair. It only takes being less selfish and more thoughtful.
Self-control is probably the most difficult attribute to achieve. When we apply discipline to our thoughts we are able to restrain our actions. This creates a calm temperament, thus a tranquil environment.
These fruits of the spirit are pleasing virtues. Practicing them daily will lead to a harmonious life. You will feel a satisfaction that transcends material acquisition.
I love this post, but I hate bananas!
Come on Linda, I’ve been told I am bananas!
Have to agree I hate banana but I love berries
I’m much more of a berry person, too.
Lovely way of defining fruits of the spirit! Fruit is so good for us, and so are these attributes.
Fruits are just good all the way around!
best description of the fruit of the Spirit I’ve read in a long time.
Thanks, Joss.
Suzi, I always enjoy how you weave your words of wisdom with photographs.
Each and everyone of these fruits of the spirit are excellent. The one that stood out for me the most was…
“I think forbearance is often misunderstood. I used to think it meant I was supposed to suffer. Now I feel I need only practice patience and exercise the ability to endure in the face of adversity.”
How true that is! Just because we experience pain, does not mean we have to suffer. As you shared, it’s our ability to endure (through faith and trust) in the face of adversity.
Thank you for sharing that reminder, my friend!
Hope you had a grrrrrrreat day!
X
P.S. Love the quote that prefaces your post!
You are exactly right, Ron.
Hope your weekend is fabulous!
Suzie, these words are so wise! “Fruits of the spirit are not seasonal.” I love that line. It’s so true. We all need to be a little bit of a fruit salad, right?
Ha, I’ve been told I’m a bit fruity at times!
Beautiful post. The raspberries look so good, too
I LOVE raspberries!
Smoothie time!
Now that the kids are grown and moved on and out, not too many smoothies made here anymore…but we sure have great smoothie memories! The neighborhood kids also loved my smoothies.
Beautiful post, Suzi ~ lots of great fruit on your writing vine to pluck and savor!
It’s “fruity Friday” here!
Beautifully spoken – the fruits of our lives shall be what we make of them, yes?
Yes, indeed.
This is so well done. I love all of them. I must confess the raspberries lured me in. It’s blueberry season…I’ll be picking before the end of the month.
I love blueberries, too…but raspberries are such a delicacy to me.
I love the quote. Beautiful post. Thanks for this energy today.
Yay for energy!