Unrealistic Expectations

“But I don’t want to tell myself no,” stated Thomas flatly. We’ve been memorizing the fruit of God’s Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 with a little song and he knows that self-control means sometimes telling yourself no, even if you really want to do something. Of course, it can also mean pushing yourself to do something that maybe you don’t feel like doing, but two year olds tend to struggle more with hearing no.

In truth, none of us likes to be told no. Adults struggle every bit as much as kids, but followers of Christ have one distinct advantage- the indwelling Spirit.

”But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.“

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.5.22-23.NLT

”Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.“

Zechariah 4:6 NIV

https://bible.com/bible/111/zec.4.6.NIV

”But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit].“

Galatians 5:22-23, 25 AMP

https://bible.com/bible/1588/gal.5.22-25.AMP

”The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted.

If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption.

If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit.

And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!“

Galatians 6:8-9 TPT

https://bible.com/bible/1849/gal.6.8-9.TPT

My privilege as a grandparent is to support my children in their role as parents to my precious grandchildren. Though it’s been awhile since I walked in their shoes, I remember feeling like the weight of the world rested on my shoulders. I placed unrealistic expectations on myself as I attempted to balance the unknown entirety of each child’s life and future on the events of each day. What God calls me to today is the exact same thing He required of me then. Jesus said it best.

”Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”“

John 6:29 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.6.29.NLT

”Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”“

John 8:31-32 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.8.31-32.NLT

”Once your life was full of sin’s darkness, but now you have the very light of our Lord shining through you because of your union with him.

Your mission is to live as children flooded with his revelation-light! And the supernatural fruits of his light will be seen in you—goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Then you will learn to choose what is beautiful to our Lord.

Whatever the revelation-light exposes, it will also correct, and everything that reveals truth is light to the soul.“

Ephesians 5:8-10, 13 TPT

https://bible.com/bible/1849/eph.5.8-13.TPT

Learning to choose what is beautiful to our Lord is the goal of the Spirit-life. We are enabled by God, not just to avoid sin but to be holy.

”By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.

We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.

These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.“

2 Peter 1:3-9 NLT

https://bible.com/bible/116/2pe.1.9.NLT

My example will always be stronger and last longer than my words, but what I say, my choices, and my life is a reflection of what I believe about God. When He is enthroned in my mind, the foremost object of my affection, I find it easier to surrender to His perfect way. I receive strength to do what He says, even if I don’t want to, and I say no to sin and self without hesitation. My identity as His dearly loved child is all I need to trust and obey. My children and grandchildren are watching, but not just them. As I walk with Jesus before a watching world, others will follow- not me, Him!

”You are always and dearly loved by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy.

Be merciful as you endeavor to understand others, and be compassionate, showing kindness toward all.

Be gentle and humble, unoffendable in your patience with others.

Tolerate the weaknesses of those in the family of faith, forgiving one another in the same way you have been graciously forgiven by Jesus Christ.

If you find fault with someone, release this same gift of forgiveness to them.

Let every activity of your lives and every word that comes from your lips be drenched with the beauty of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.

And bring your constant praise to God the Father because of what Christ has done for you!“

Colossians 3:12-13, 17 TPT

https://bible.com/bible/1849/col.3.12-13.TPT

“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word

What a glory He sheds on our way

While we do His good will He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey”

John H Sammis, 1887