This summer we studied the wonderful qualities known as the fruit of the Spirit.  As I studied throughout a period of several months I found myself nearly despondent over the lack this fruit in my life.  As much as I wanted to love others, I found the ever present love of self to be always greater.  Joy and peace seemed to be present at times when everything was good, but wait, true spirit-controlled joy and peace have nothing to do with circumstances.  I want to be patient, but I’m simply not.  Gentleness?  No!  Goodness?  No!  Faithful?  When it’s convenient maybe – so, not really!  Ok, meekness!  I think I’m fairly meek.  Meekness is sweet submission to God’s sovereign control in my life both in the area of circumstances as well as authorities.  Ok, maybe not.  Temperance…nope. I’m not spiritual at all!

    Isn’t it a wonderful thing that these are not the fruit of Aaron that I’m trying to work out of my life, but the fruit of the Spirit that He is working in me? One of the most comforting passages in Scripture to me is Hebrews 12.  In this passage, God shows us His means of working out these fruits in our lives—which is the Father’s chastening.  Chastening simply means the “rearing of a child”.  This would obviously include everything from training and schooling, to rebuking and scourging.  It’s all part of the process of Him working in me the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

    This summer was a blessed summer, because it was a time of chastening.  God in His kindness did a work of training, teaching, disciplining, and encouraging.  Much of it was very hard and even now still hurts.  Yet if I understand God’s chastening, it should always be sweet.  God is doing what only God can do….He’s being the perfect Father.  I’m convinced, now more than ever, that God wants the fruit of the Spirit in my life even more than I do.  So I should not be despondent or discouraged, because “he which hath begun a good work in you [me] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”