Whenever we feel frustrated with people or situations around us that seem to test our patience, kindness, and gentleness, may we remember that the Lord puts us in situations where we could grow to become more like Him.
When we set our hearts to following Jesus, we received His command to love each other. And yes, we can easily do that with people that are easy to love. But how about those who are hard to talk to? difficult to get along with, and frustrating to work with?
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35
Patience, kindness, and gentleness are some of the “Fruits of the Spirit” the Lord is expecting us to produce. We are called to bear these character traits as a proof that we are followers of Jesus. And when our lives manifest these fruits, we grow more and more like Him.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
And while we do not automatically become loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful, and self-controlled, the moment we decide to follow Jesus, we receive His promise that He will help us bear fruit.
Practically speaking this is by staying planted in His word — when we read, meditate, and live the lessons of God’s word in the Bible, it will be easier for us to bear fruit.
Another way the Lord helps us to bear fruit is by putting us in unpleasant situations that could help us grow and mature, much like the barren fig tree in Jesus’ Parable found in the Gospel of Luke. For instance, we will never develop patience if we are not faced with situations where we can practice it. Hence, if we want to be patient we will have to spend time or work with an annoying person.
“And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:7-9
When we look at the unpleasant people and situations in our life today, may we remember the “manure” or “fertilizer” the vinedresser had to put around the barren tree so that it will yield fruit. Let us not take everything personally, and heave out frustrations. Instead, let us look at these situations and people as the way to grow and mature in faith, and bear the fruits of the spirit that will help us become more like Jesus.
“Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:13-15
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Luke 13:6-9 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How do you vent out frustrations about situations and people that are difficult to like?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for enabling us to bear fruit. so that we can be more like you. Give us the strength and courage to face frustrating situations with the love you call us to give to others. Amen.