How do God and the Holy Spirit help us to grow fruit in our lives? By putting us in situations where we are tempted to act in the opposite way.
So how does he grow love in our lives? By putting unlovely people around us. It is easy to love just those people who love you back, or to love only those people who are lovable.
Loving a cute puppy is easy, but can you love an ugly stray?
Loving your family is easy, but can you love the person who annoys you most at work?
Loving orphans is easy, but can you love beggars on the street?
It is not always easy, but that is how we know it is of God. That pain we feel is God stretching us, and teaching us to leave behind all unloving behaviour and attitudes.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
(1 John 4:8)
Who should you be loving today that you find hard to love?
How should you be showing love today that will hurt or stretch you?
Excellent questions and I admit, that I lose sight of that especially when I am dealing with the downright annoying. :)
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