Slow Growth: A 4-Day Plan to Examine Your Spiritual Fruit and Live UnhurriedNäide

Patience, Kindness, Goodness

Today, we once again get to examine our lives and look for fruit. As we slow down and fix our eyes on Jesus, our lives will be more and more marked by patience, kindness, and goodness.

Take some time to walk through these indicators and ask, “Does this describe my life?”

Indicators of Patience:

• You accept that growth takes time and are willing to do the work, day by day (Luke 8:15).
• You work to fulfill your calling by genuinely loving and caring for those around you (Eph. 4:1–2, 1 Cor. 13:4, 1 Thess. 5:14).
• You know trials are temporary, so you endure with hope, knowing Jesus is coming again (Rom. 12:12, James 5:7–8).
• You believe that it’s not too late for anyone to be saved (1 Tim. 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9).

Indicators of Kindness:

• Your words and actions are an extension of God’s kindness that leads others to repentance and salvation (Rom. 2:4).
• You see the needs and hurts of others and do what you can to help. The kind person speaks words of life and encouragement to others (Zech. 7:9-10).
• Your kindness is contagious. It challenges and teaches others to follow your example (Prov. 31:26, 2 Tim. 2:24-25a).
• When others are cruel, you are kind, imitating the kindness and forgiveness God shows us (Luke 6:35, Eph. 4:32).

Indicators of Goodness:

• You are aware of your deep need for the only One who is truly good. We can only bear the fruit of goodness because of salvation in Jesus and His work in our lives (Titus 3:4-5, Ps. 86:5).
• Laziness, weariness, and/or busyness do not keep you from doing the right thing (Gal. 6:9–10, Micah 6:8).
• You regularly ask the Lord for wisdom. You are able to rightly discern between good and evil (Isa. 5:20, 1 Tim. 4:4a).
• Your goodness is not contingent on the actions and attitudes of those around you. Goodness is a heart issue (Luke 6:27-28, 45).

Reflect:

Which of these areas do you struggle with the most? How can you pursue growth in this area today?