INITIAL REACTIONS

When someone cuts you off in traffic, what is your initial reaction? When your child again spills her milk, what is your initial reaction? When you have just finished mopping the kitchen floor and someone walks across it with muddy boots, what is your initial reaction? When you have put time and preparation into a presentation and your boss cancels the meeting, what is your initial reaction?

Is there a way we can fine tune our initial reactions to life’s irritations so that instead of reacting in a sinful manner, we can react in a way which honors God? Yes, there is! By relying on God’s presence within us, we can draw upon the Holy Spirit’s empowerment within to manifest the fruit of God’s Spirit through us.

What is the fruit of the Spirit?

Galatians 2:22-24 clearly lists them:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control . . . and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

As we manifest the fruit of the Spirit in our initial reactions, God Himself will be honored in and through us.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions.
Romans 6:12

Heavenly Father, I thank You that You know about life here on this planet and, specifically, what irritates me. Thank You that You give guidelines for all situations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.