My Corner Online

The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy

*First published 9/6/2008.

The Choice
Max Lucado

But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law. Galatians 5:22-23/New Living Translation

I choose joy.
I will invite God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical -- the tool of the lazy thinker.
I refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God.
I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

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I look at this photo of the ducks and I see a white duck ready to nip the black duck in the tail. He almost looks as if he is staring on in frustration at what the black duck is doing.

I feel that way sometimes. Sometimes what other people do can really get on my nerves. Oh, I pray and ask God to help me keep my mouth shut, but is that enough? No.

I need an attitude adjustment. I need to see joy in all things. I need to learn to look at other people as God sees them. I need to look at other people and see God through them. 

For when I allow others to get under my skin, it only robs me of my joy. I allow it to fester under my skin until I am in such a mood that is anything but joyous. 

I CAN choose joy in all circumstances.

And when I choose JOY, it only rubs off on other people.
Smiles are contagious. Be a carrier!

I need to refuse the temptation to think anyone is lower than myself--no matter what they are doing that may be annoying me. Isn't it really hard to be humble when someone is rubbing you the wrong way?

I have a little ditty that I often remind myself of when someone is rubbing me the wrong way. I try to think of them as sandpaper, rubbing me the wrong way, for what rubs me the wrong way only refines me and changes me into a better person.