I thought it great revelation to learn that Peace is the stronghold of guidance, because I would know in my ‘gut’ or my heart that I was moving in the right direction by the absence or unmistaken presence of Peace there but as time passes I’m learning that out of that same peace comes the other fruit of the Spirit as well. Out of Peace comes patience.
Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit but it seems that Peace is the seed from which the rest of the fruit of the like patience, self control, gentleness, love, faithfulness and joy grows. Â Without peace, I find it more difficult to be focused on others when I am distracted by worry, fear and concern, especially when I am facing uncertainty. Â When I am caught up in fear I certainly do not have patience with myself or with anyone else and neither am I kind when I am afraid. I find self control to be elusive when I am wrestling with fear. Â Gentleness is long forgotten and doesn’t come easy without patience with myself or others. Â Love is certainly not expressed as I am only concerned with managing my fears and worries. Â Faithfulness can easily fly out the window when I return to old familiar fountains to refresh my strength to push forward beyond the confines of fear to face circumstances of uncertainty. Â In the absence of peace, anxiety and fear crowd out joy and laughter.
Jesus, the Prince of Peace, He is our peace, not our patience, not our self control, not our gentleness, not our love, not our faithfulness and not our joy. Â Peace is a person who creates and becomes those things in us as we become more like Him. Â It is out of peace that patience grows. Â It is out of Jesus, Himself that patience becomes increasingly effortless if we have tangible, living peace, at the precise moment it is needed. The same is true for the remaining fruit of the Spirit as well. Â Self control, gentleness, love, faithfulness and joy grow in us over time becoming more evident as does fruit growing on a tree. Â Fruit does not grow on its own but grows from a tree which begins with a seed. Â Peace is the seed that becomes the tree giving life to the rest of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Â 1 Peter 1:23Â Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Â I think this scripture says it well.
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