P.E.A.C.E

A Fruit Bowl is a place to select and enjoy food as part of maintaining a healthy diet. Whether it's at school, college, uni, the office or any canteen environment, it’s the healthy option given to us for sweetness. In the same way having Fruit of the Spirit demonstrates a healthy and holistic spiritual culture, where we have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus to those around us and in our spheres of influence. 

So how do we do this? According to Strong's Concordance, the Greek word for ‘peace’ in the New Testament comes from eiréné, meaning one, quietness and rest. It originates from the root word eirō, which means to join, or tie together into a whole.

In our contemporary world infused by technology-driven overloads, it’s something we can at times struggle with. Ultimately, when we are in this space, we can make the best decisions for ourselves and those around us for the better good. So how can we achieve this biblical definition of oneness? Where we can experience God’s ‘peace’, this joining of quietness and rest rolled together. Consider the following acronym to help: 

P – Pray and be still

E – Engage in Praise and Thanksgiving

A – Ask God for rest

C – Consider times in the day to reflect on His promises

E – Exercise being calm to read the Bible to be encouraged 

It’s important to recognise that good fruits are birthed from a healthy tree rooted in soil, full of the right nutrients. In the same way, peace is a gift given by God to us through the Holy Spirit, cultivated by a healthy lifestyle that is rooted in His Word. The practice of the acronym is the discipline in our lives, enabling us to celebrate the fruit of God’s peace. For yourself, this means being calm to make decisions in your life without anxiety and stress and being joyful that God has your best interests at heart for your wellbeing, aligned to fulfilling your destiny for His Kingdom. Simultaneously, others will experience a definition of sweetness in your character, which is quietly reassuring and kind, calm in encouragement, enveloped in love.