Your Life Is an Example

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Experiencing difficulty, pain, and heartbreak are guaranteed while we are on this earth. There is just no way around it. In one of Jesus’ conversations with His disciples near the end of His ministry, He confirmed this truth when He said, “In this world you will have trouble,” (John 16:33). He didn’t say you might have trouble, or you could have trouble, or even you will probably have trouble. He said you will have trouble.
 
Sometimes, God allows us to go through troublesome situations in order for us to see Him work in our life. Quite often, that’s not the only reason. There are also instances when God allows tough times so others can see His work on display in the midst of our pain. You see, pain has a way of squeezing out whatever is on the inside of us.

Once you become a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in you. From there, you have access to the fruit of the spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you go through hard times and you get squeezed, this fruit should come out of you. This makes your walk with Christ evident to the people around you. When these good qualities manifest themselves, especially during difficult seasons, people will notice. They will see that you are different, and they will want what you have.
 
People are always watching. They are wondering how you will handle what life has thrown at you. As a believer, you are placed in a position by God for Him to use you; your response to being squeezed can be a great example. You can show others that the Christian life is not the absence of struggles. Instead, it demonstrates the power of Christ working inside of you in the midst of struggles!