How many times have I asked God “Can I have… love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22)?” It’s never “poof!” you’ve got it, it’s usually through trial, tribulation or suffering that I receive these gifts.
- More love – God shows me how unlovable I am yet still loves me
- More joy – God disciplines me yet brings others into my life for encouragement
- More peace – When anxious thoughts occupy my mind, He reminds me to meditate on His promise to never leave me nor forsake me
- More patience – He puts “difficult” people in my life who I learn patience through (and I could be someone else’s “difficult” person!)
- More kindness – The Holy Spirit convicts me when I’ve been unkind so reconciliation can occur
- More goodness – God reminds me how blessed I am to have His goodness in my life, not material possessions
- More faithfulness – God uses suffering in my life to draw me closer to Him
- More gentleness – He brings the person who is suffering and in need of the gentleness He can offer through me into my path
- More self-control – Some days my focus can be totally off Him and the mission He has for me, but His word brings me back to a God-centered focus.
I can’t expect to receive any of these gifts without first sowing the seeds. “A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:7-8.
So I must sow love, joy, peace etc. with those around me before I ask God “can I have…?”