Your Secret List

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23 ESV)
We all have a secret list of negative things about ourselves floating around in our head.
Reasons we’re a bad parent, a poor employee, or a below average spouse.
The moment you lose your temper and yell at your kids, it’s confirmed: you’re a failing parent with anger issues.
The day you botch a presentation at work: you’re an incompetent employee.
The night you get frustrated with your spouse and say something you instantly regret: you’re a terrible partner lacking self-control.
You may feel like sweeping that list under the rug, but the truth is, God already knows what’s on it.
And He’s not intimidated by it. Rather than you rehearsing all the reasons why you’re unqualified, God wants you to start seeing them as opportunities for His strength to shine through.
If you’ll open your heart today for His Spirit to work, you’ll see your list in a different light.
One that’s characterized by love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

