Weakness can be a tough thing. How do you handle things you struggle with not doing? Or maybe it's a part of your personality that isn't part of you? If you are a fan of any sort of business or management strategy like Gallup's Strengthfinders, you probably do everything you can to eliminate the need to function in the realm of your weaknesses.

As we journey into an investigation of the Fruits of the Spirit, we slowly begin to realize that we simply can't ignore the things that might not appear to natively manifest themselves in our life. Just looking at our strengths, or even deeper, just the things that make us happy, isn't really an engagement with the fruits of the spirit. They are us engaging with our own self, which doesn't lead us to salvation or show the world of Jesus in our life.

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17

Paul instantly calls us into this truth. God's kingdom is one that manifests God's own attributes through His people.

He Makes Is Us What is Unmade in Him

Paul lists out three different fruits in this verse. None of them can't be accomplished through human endeavours, but only by each of us learning to rest in the presence of God and allow Him to transform us.

Jesus describes two of these fruits in his final words to His disciples in the gospel of John.

I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! John 15:11

"I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

Joy and Peace. Two attitudes that show the power of the Holy Spirit in our life. And we can't create them on our own. No matter how hard we try.