Sunday, February 8, 2015

Name Nine

Hey there friend!

Did you know that counting to ten really doesn't help you calm down? Well, at least it doesn't ever help me. Not that I need to very often, but when I do.... oh buddy watch out.

Recently, I had a really stressful day. At one point I had a bit of a melt down. Not gonna say for sure, but maybe some ranting was involved. I hate it when I behave that way. My emotions take over and counting to ten will not help.

The next morning I posted on Facebook that I was "hoping today goes smoother... praying for self-control, peace and joy to win."

A friend commented - "Got fruit? Gal 5, carry it with you."

I knew right away she was talking about Galatians 5:22-23

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things!"
 

Well yea, I knew that. I pray most mornings for the Holy Spirit's help to "have much good fruit". And I name all nine out loud to remind myself how I want to behave and live out the day.

Sometimes though my fruit is kinda rotten. *sigh*

Well, later that afternoon as I was driving behind someone going real slooooowwww, I thought of my friend's comment. I was becoming annoyed and decided to name the nine fruit of the spirit. Right there in my car and out loud to myself.......

Love
Joy {I'll be happy if she turns left because I'm going right}
Peace
Patience {feel like beeping my horn}
Kindness
Goodness
Gentleness {how about a gentle tap on my horn?}
Faithfulness
Self-control {deep breath}

..... and it's working. Yay!  
Maybe one more time from the top - Love, Joy, Peace....

That day I discovered that "naming nine" works so much better than counting to ten.
And I think it's because I'm speaking God's word. There's power in His word.

My friend was right..... got fruit? Carry it with you.
Can you name the nine?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I'm linking up today at Barbie's place for some Weekend Brew .

Love ya,

7 comments:

  1. Nicely said. I'm so proud of you to have realized this and to work on making changes. Every time this happens, the Holy Spirit will help you and you will get stronger and soon you will have victory over it. Stay strong.

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    1. Thank you so much for your support! and always encouraging me with your love and comments.

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  2. I like that so much better than counting to 10!

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    1. Hi Rose,
      It really does work. Glad you stopped by. :)

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  3. Great idea. I was blessed to find a shower curtain for my bathroom renovation with at least four of the nine: joy, love, faith, peace. I love the phrase "got fruit, Name the 9." I will try this when I feel stressed. I need the patience, self-control, kindness,and gentleness. They all flow together so well. Thanks again for sharing this.

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    1. Hi Mary!
      It is amazing how all nine work together and where one leaves off the next follows. So glad you stopped by.

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  4. What a great idea! I will be thinking of "got fruit?" and then counting the gifts to 9. Blessed you joined The Weekend Brew.

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