There are multiple references throughout the Bible to “fruit.” Galatians 5:22 talks about the fruit of the spirit:
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness, and self-control. “

These are the fruits that we are to produce when God’s spirit dwells within us. Lately I’ve been reading up a lot on self-help and self-love and it hit me that with God’s spirit dwelling in us, we should not only strive to produce these “fruits of the spirit” but we should want those same fruits to first be planted as seeds within our own selves, that is to say that we should treat ourselves the same way God instructs us to treat others. Just like in a garden, you produce what you plant. I feel like if you don’t start out each day treating yourself right, it becomes more difficult to outwardly show what you don’t inwardly have an abundance of to begin with…

Sounds simple right? But just think about it…

Love: How many of us struggle or have struggled with loving ourselves? If we don’t love this masterpiece that God molded and this life that God created for us, it becomes very hard to go out into the world and express it to others. A lack of love for ourselves can produce seeds of bitterness, jealousy and comparison in our lives. And these seeds grow into trees that do not produce love, in fact they produce the opposite. So, as you start each day, look in the mirror and tell yourself one thing that you LOVE about YOU…and thank God for whatever that is in your life.

Joy: We all get busy in our lives sticking to our daily routines and obligations that we sometimes forget to pause and do something for ourselves…something that brings us joy. I have struggled in the past with taking time for myself because I thought that would be “selfish”…however, I’ve come to realize if I’m constantly giving myself to others and daily routines without taking the time to re-fill…then helping others can begin to feel draining and possibly even feel like a chore rather than a calling and gift and seeds of resentment and stress can begin to grow. So, each day try to take a few minutes to do something you truly enjoy so that you will be overflowing with “joy” to share with others.

Peace: If you are not at peace with yourself its hard to bear any fruit at all. How are we supposed to bring a calming presence to others if the sea within our own soul is restless. In John 14:27, Jesus lets is know that he has brought us peace so that our hearts do not grow troubled. Each day, take a few minutes to ask God for his peace to fill your soul as you start your day so that you are prepared for whatever storm comes your way and you are able to provide a steady hand and listening ear for anyone that crosses your path.

Patience: It’s crazy to me how I am able to walk with others through circumstances and problems in their lives and pray with them as they wait patiently on the Lord, but I am always impatient with myself. I’m constantly critical of myself when it takes me longer than I think it should to accomplish something, or even worse, get mad at myself for failing at something and then giving up because it’s just too hard. If we are able to have patience with others in our lives, then we should also remember to be patient with ourselves. If we can tell others to trust the Lord because His way are higher, how much greater should our trust in Him be with our own lives.

Kindness/Goodness: Be kind to yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s what we learn from them and how we respond that makes the difference. The Golden Rule tells us to treat others the way we want to be treated. We can also view this as, the way we treat ourselves will show others the way to treat us. God loves us so much! It’s through our flaws that He is able to show His grace…through our imperfections we see His perfect design. Don’t be too hard on yourself…seeds of criticism and low self-esteem can grow into trees of depression and a constant need for approval from others…causing us to look inward with harsh words instead of looking up to the One that designed us in His image and who has already approved of us and chose us when He died on the cross for our sins. So take care to always be kind…to others and to yourself.

Just remember, God has given us the Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide and He is our Master Gardener. Start each day with Him and He will help you plant seeds that will grow into mighty trees…producing an abundance of fruit for His Glory!

When we deny the story, it defines us. When we own the story, we can write a brave new ending. – Brene Brown

Single. Mid-Thirties. My life looks a lot different than I imagined it would when I was young. Maybe it was society, disney movies, or just my own expectations. At this point, surely I should be married with 2.5 kids and a husband who loves me dearly living the “perfect” life.

But then, I’m hit with the reality that this isn’t my life right now…and maybe, it just isn’t meant for me at all? What now? Well, I can honestly tell you that for the past 10 years of my life my response to this was to doubt myself, to feel inferior, to feel like I was lacking something.

Now, I am realizing that things happen or don’t happen for you and to you in life, but you get to control how you respond. You might not get to control the input, but you can control the output.

Better yet, if we looked at our lives like a camera. Instead of constantly trying to change the film, maybe we just need to adjust the lens.

To seize means “to take hold of eagerly and decisively”. Regardless of what “season” of your life you are in, married with no kids, married with children, divorced, widowed or single…you can choose to allow your mind to be controlled by negative thoughts around your circumstances OR you can choose to take those thoughts captive and enjoy this season of your life for the true blessing it is…because that’s what this life is…a blessing. We have a decision to make each day on how we live our lives.

As you live out your season this year, choose to SEIZE it.

Eagerly: Go in to each day and each experience ready to make a memory…ready to fill each page of this chapter of your life with encouraging words and meaningful characters and embrace each and every “plot twist” not with fear, but with patience, trust and hope for what comes next.

Decisively: Remember, you have to make a decision each day how will choose to see your story. Will you spend so much time reading others stories and trying to edit yours that you miss the wonderful story unfolding in your life? Or will you write a story so unique that it’s like it was written for you…because it was!