It is almost the end of the year, and if we revisit our list of new year’s resolutions for 2025, we may find ourselves frustrated over the things we haven’t done yet, or the traits we have yet to improve on.
When we feel this disappointment over ourselves, let us take the time to see if we ever made progress in the area we choose to develop. For instance in the area of patience over our children, or maybe in making better use of our time, or in intentionally seeking God, plus the other goals we have set 11 months ago.
If there was any positive change — no matter how small– then maybe we can try to not be too hard on ourselves, and just muster the courage to try to work harder or spend more time pressing on our goals. For character traits we would like to develop like patience, gentleness, self-control, or integrity, we may want to give ourselves the grace to adjust our behavior. It is not easy to change at a snap of a finger, especially if we have been that way for a long time. Let us continue asking God for the confidence and grace to develop the traits we want to have.
“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:6
We may not be where we should be, but at least we are not where we were before. Transforming into the best person we can be takes a long time, and the Lord is just happy that we try our best every single day. He is pleased when He sees that we stand up each time we falter, and try again.
In the prayer that Jesus Himself taught us, we are to ask for our daily bread, we are to seek His protection and provision on a day-to-day basis, and we are to ask for His forgiveness daily. So let us just push and continue trying to bear spiritual fruits, He has called us to bear. When we fall short, let’s remember to stand up again, because His mercies are new every morning.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on Galatians 5:16-26 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you feel frustrated each time you feel that you are not as patient or as kind or generous as you would like to be? How can knowing that Jesus is happy because you try hard each time encourage you to keep o pushing towards your goal of bearing spiritual fruits?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for encouraging me to keep on bearing fruit. I may be frustrated at times for not being good at all times, but your encouragement and grace give me the confidence to continue pushing on. I know your grace is sufficient. Amen.