Yesterday I encountered traffic on my way to work. It was a dangerous situation, cars lined up in the breakdown lane to exit for over a mile before the exit. Many cars did not realize that this was for the upcoming ramp. Breaking quickly, slowing down or just those wanting to get ahead, were causing near accidents and unsafe conditions.
This, in turn, caused many to lose patience. I saw many angered faces and hand gestures. Some at me because I allowed others to merge in line before me. It was an act of courtesy and safety on my part. Courtesy is an act of kindness. When we are angry or frustrated, in a hurry or stuck in a place we do not want to be in, courtesy is often the last thing on one’s mind.
That is when we must ask ourselves how does God want us to react? Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. The fruits are a gauge for our behavior. These fruits are a way for us to stay focused on God in tough times. When you are stuck in a difficult or trying situation try to react with the Spirit’s fruit. You won’t always receive fruit back, yet it is what God expects from us.
Pastor Kathleen
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.