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

Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

Today, we will wrap up by looking for indicators of faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our lives.

We started our study by recognizing that spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight; instead, when we pursue Jesus little by little, day by day, our perspective will change and our days will become more and more centered on the Lord and His plans.

Take some time to look for the following indicators in your life and remember that small, compounded changes lead to a life marked by Christlikeness.

Indicators of Faithfulness:

• Your life is steady, consistent, and focused on eternity. You cling to the promises of God (Prov. 20:6, 1 Thess. 5:24).
• You know even small responsibilities and stewardships matter (Luke 16:10, Rom. 1:17).
• You consistently tell others about God’s faithfulness to you (Ps. 89:1, Lam. 3:22–23).
• You stand firm when troubles come. You refuse to abandon the ways of the Lord. Faithfulness is believing God is who He says He is and remaining steadfast in your belief despite the uncertainties of life (Prov. 3:3, 2 Cor. 5:6-7).
• Your prayer life reflects your beliefs about God. You ask big things because you know He is able (Matt. 17:20, Heb. 11:1).

Indicators of Gentleness:

• You seek comfort and rest in the arms of Jesus—the One who is available and ready to take your burdens (Matt. 11:28–30).
• You combat the severity and harshness of the world with a meek and humble spirit, desiring all to be saved (2 Tim. 2:24–25).
• When a brother or sister in Christ is caught in sin, you seek to restore them, knowing you, too, are vulnerable to sin (Gal. 6:1).
• You know your calling and your value. You display characteristics that are pleasing to God (Eph. 4:1–2, 1 Peter 3:4).

Indicators of Self-Control:

• Your perspective is eternal; you regularly train your flesh to yield its desires to the things of the Lord. The self-controlled person lives with the end in mind (1 Cor. 9:25-27a, 1 Peter 4:7).
• You don’t respond to offense and hardship with anger. You don’t willingly yield your peace to anyone or anything (Prov. 25:28, James 1:19–20).
• You rely on the Holy Spirit within you—not your own feelings, emotions, or reactions (2 Tim. 1:7).
• You intentionally train, mentor, and disciple those coming behind you. Your life is worth imitating (Titus 2:3b–6, 1 Cor. 11:1).

Reflect:

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

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We hope this plan encouraged you and helped you to become a little more like Jesus! Learn more about Unhurried: An Invitation to Slow Down, Create Margin, and Surrender Control to God here.