Fruit or Failure?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Galatians 5:22-23
For me, this verse is tough. Some of the things listed are easy. Some…well…not so much.
In my travels this fall, I’ve had the opportunity to hear about other the journey to publication from a lot of different authors. I noticed most of us have a similar story. Very few had a direct route. Instead we traveled a circuitous trip full of bumps and detours.Frequently a writer's path is littered with broken dreams and shattered expectations.
As I listened to all these stories, one thing stood out. That sometimes-tortuous path, made us better writers. And beyond that, it made what was published, publishable.
That insight made me stop and reflect on those instances in my life that I'd always labeled as failures and shortcomings. Now I saw them as opportunities to grow and learn. Those times of waiting had become patience, the frustration had become discipline, and the rejections became joy. All those difficult circumstances had been used by God to teach me things I lacked, as well as giving me compassion for others on similar journeys.
Somewhere along the way, God used the seeds of failure to grow fruit in my life.
How have your failures turned into fruit? I’d love to hear your insights.

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Frequently, God uses the seeds of failure to grow fruit - @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)