Day 2: The Inward Fruits - Love, Joy, Peace

The first three aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, and peace, shape our inner life. They’re not just nice feelings; they’re supernatural realities that come from our relationship with God.

Romans 5:5 tells us that “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” That means love isn’t something we have to generate ourselves, it’s something God places in us. Love isn’t just an emotion; it’s an action. Jesus showed us this when He laid down His life for us (John 15:13). If we’re rooted in Him, we are called to love as He does. This means living sacrificially even when it’s inconvenient.

Joy is another fruit that isn’t based on circumstances. In John 15:11, Jesus says, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” His joy isn’t temporary happiness. It’s a deep, lasting contentment that comes from knowing we are loved and secure in Him. Even when life is stressful, joy remains because it isn’t dependent on external factors.

Peace, described in Philippians 4:7, is something that “transcends all understanding.” This peace isn’t just about feeling calm. It’s confidence in God’s control, even in uncertainty. When anxiety creeps in, we can hold onto the truth that God is bigger than our fears.

These qualities grow when we consistently trust and abide in Christ. What’s stopping you from walking in love, joy, and peace today? Is it fear? Bitterness? Stress? Surrender it to God, and ask the Holy Spirit to develop these fruits in you.