The Impact of the Fruits of the Spirit
Soon after my husband, Michael, and I got home from this special weekend, we discovered our baby girl, whom I was pregnant with at the time, would be born with multiple congenital heart defects. In order to survive, she would need several open-heart surgeries soon after she was born. It felt like the worst day of our lives.
Michael and I both processed this news in different ways. During this time, FruitFULL was released. Naturally, the release of this devotional study was the last thing on my mind, but it truly couldn’t have come at a better time.
You see, I was in the process of seeking the Father’s peace and joy in the midst of my despair. When day one of FruitFULL appeared in my inbox, I smiled at the realization that the first “fruit focus” was on peace.
I couldn’t help but think what a tender touch from the Father it was.
But it didn’t stop there.
Can you guess what the next week’s fruit focus was on?
Yep, joy.
The amazing part about this is that I was the one talking about these topics in the weekly study videos. The Lord was using me to speak truth over myself in such a special way!
God undoubtedly used FruitFULL to bless me during this time in my life.
If we are honest with ourselves, it can be hard seeking the Lord and His Word during difficult seasons. I don’t know about you, but when I’m going through hard times, I often try to take matters into my own hands. I focus on what I can do in my own strength to keep my head above the water.
The truth is, I will drown in those waters if I don’t look to the Lord to be my strength. We all will.
FruitFULL is a great reminder of the sweet fruits that are available to us in Christ Jesus, the fruits the Lord delights in seeing us take delight in, the fruits that help us keep our eyes fixed on our Father in all things, and the fruits that strengthen us and help us thrive.
