RADICAL BLESSINGS: Why Prayers for Patience Are Dangerous

RADICAL BLESSINGS

Abide in God’s Love: Why Prayers for Patience Are Dangerous

Day 3 Bible Reading: John 15:1-4, Galatians 5:22-23

Click here to read Galatians 5:22-23 on Biblegateway.com.

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Be Careful What You Pray For.

For many years I was part of an awesome Mom’s Bible study at my church. Part Bible study, part support group, we would get together once a week while our kids were in Bible Club to study scripture and pray together.

As we grew in faith, we moms came to realize God stretches and grows us by giving us difficult life situations. It’s tough walking through these situations, but it makes sense.

The running joke in our group became, “Don’t pray for patience! God will give you a situation that will test it!”

When a new mom came into the group and said, “I just need to pray for more patience…” (a common prayer for those of us with little ones) we would all groan and say, “Oh no, be careful what you pray for!”

How to Grow in RADICAL Fruitfulness.

How do we grow in the fruits of the spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness? (And, oh, how I so desperately want more of each of these in my life!)

Does the Bible say, buckle down, God’s people. You just need more willpower! You need to be better and man up to the challenge.

No. The answer is clear: Abide.

“Abide in Me,” Jesus says. Stay with me. Stick with me. Remain in me. When we stay in Christ, we receive the fruits of the spirit as a gift.

All we do is open our hands and receive the gift. We don’t work for them. We don’t earn them with lots of hard work, or man (or woman) up to them.

We open our hands and accept, in humble gratitude and thanksgiving.

As you abide in Christ today, what fruits of the spirit are you seeing? Be specific. Comment below.

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