Will the New Year be different for you?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.  (Gal 5:22-23)

Interesting that this series on fruit of the Holy Spirit would conclude just as so many people are considering their New Year’s resolutions, and the final “fruit” is “self-control.”  So interesting…..

What are you hoping to change in the new year?  How are you hoping 2017 will be different?  Are you hoping, along with thousands of others, to lose weight, eat healthier, or change your appearance in some way?  Are you hoping to find a new job and make more money?  Could you be hoping to get more consistent with prayer time or Bible reading?

Even those who stand up tall and say, “I don’t make New Year’s resolutions!” there is something they would like to do better, do less of, or do more of.  All of us have stuff like that in our lives.  It goes with not being perfect, whatever that looks like.

If we are going to do one thing that can affect all aspects of our life, it would be to draw closer and deeper with God.  By now in the posts regarding all the fruit of the Holy Spirit, I think the case can be said that God can and does make a difference in the quality of life of those who choose to believe in him and believe him. Let’s consider for a moment the benefits:

1. More peace, even when in stressful situations
2. More joy, even in times of sadness
3. More hope, knowing, with assurance, there is a better life ahead
4. More comfort, knowing that you are standing on the rock and get shaken less and less
5. More security, knowing that God will provide
6. More community, knowing that you have a huge family of believers that includes brother and sisters all around the world, and in heaven.   You are part of a huge family, and will be together with all of them in the future.
7. More confidence, knowing you are living a worthwhile life
8. More assurance, knowing the truth of right and wrong, and living the right path
9. More steadiness, knowing God leads and we follow his path
10. More light, the darkness fades and the light of Christ fills your entire being
11. More love, knowing God loves all people, we learn to love all people too, even those who hurt or harm us
12. More strength, knowing we have God’s power within us and it will get us through
13. And so much more……

So, as you consider self-control, rather than focus on what is wrong with you, why don’t you focus on God instead.  He loves you just the way you are, and will gently lead you into  paths that will transform your life into the precious jewel God created you to be.  Seek God, the one true God, the God of the Bible FIRST, and let all the other things fall into place in the proper time.

God bless you now and throughout 2017.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)