Growing the Fruit of the Spirit

I’ve been spending some quiet time in Galatians 5 lately — the verses about the fruit of the Spirit. You probably know the ones:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
— Galatians 5:22–23

Every time I read that list, something new speaks to me. Some days it’s peace I’m craving. Other days, I’m reminded of how much I need patience. It’s such a tender reminder that our walk with God isn’t about perfection — it’s about growth. Quiet, steady, often unseen growth.

These verses aren’t a checklist. They’re a picture of what life can look like when we’re walking with the Spirit — when we’re letting God do the shaping and pruning, even when it’s hard or slow.

Something that really stuck with me recently came from the She Reads Truth Bible. In a note alongside this passage, it says:

“Only by abiding in Him—resting in His goodness and trusting Him to do the hard work of redemption on our behalf—can we bear fruit.”

That line stopped me in my tracks. Because how often do we try to do all the things and be all the things — and forget that this growth doesn’t come from striving? It comes from abiding. From staying close to Jesus. From letting Him do the deep, transforming work in us.

The fruit grows when we’re rooted in Him. When we show up, even with our messy hearts and tired souls. When we pause long enough to let His Spirit lead instead of rushing ahead on our own.

If you’ve ever read that list and thought, “Lord, I’ve got a long way to go,” — I’m right there with you. But take heart: He’s already doing the work. And day by day, He’s growing something beautiful in you.