I have been around enough to know that it is always easier to talk about doing stuff than to actually make it happen. Would you agree? That especially applies when I am telling other people what they need to do - instead of myself. :)

Over the last few weeks we have been looking at the Fruit of the Spirit. The Bible tells us that God lives inside a Christian as the Spirit and that He guides our life to be more like Jesus. God's Spirit in us, is to result in peace and joy and love and patience and kindness among others.

That is truly what we need and should aspire to - yet we struggle each day to live in God's Spirit. Something happens everyday that makes it difficult. How do I exhibit patience when a child disobeys for the 3rd time? How do I live in joy when my Air Conditioner breaks on a 95 degree day? How do I feel peace when a loved one is gravely ill?

It comes back to trusting God and counting our blessings. When we trust that God is truly bigger than any problem we face - we can face problems with assurance and hope that my God is not surprised by this issue and He will make a way for me to walk through it. That allows us to walk in peace that God is in control, and joy that God will see me through and give me patience to wait on God's guidance and provision

When we count our blessings - we begin to realize all that is well in our life typically outweighs whatever we see as wrong. Because we do not deserve anything - all the good things truly are blessings. When I begin to take stock of the blessings in my life: opportunities to get an education, provision, housing, realtionships, children, friends, opportunities to serve, those who have helped me along the way and so much more - then an issue like a broken AC unit comes into perspective. I can focus on the good, and I should more than I do.

Yes God's Spirit in us allows us to actually practice peace and joy and love and patience and kindness - not just talk about them. Listen to Paul as he shares the reality of a God we can trust in all circumstances and the recognition of God's blessings in His life.

2 Corinthians 6: We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. (in Jesus)

May we all trust God every day and count our blessings along the way!