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By Tanya M. Wilson

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Life is comprised of many lessons, all designed to confirm us, or grow us. I learned early in life, despite some repeat lessons, those lessons played a significant role in who I am today.

For a number of years, I believed that everybody had my best interest at heart. Even within my circle of what I called “my sisters and brothers at the church,” I was quick to elevate those that spoke the name of the Lord or said something “Godly.” I failed to realize, that regardless of what is said, thought or done, each of us are human beings subject to our humanism.

Matthew 7:18-20, focuses on “The Fruit of the Spirit,” a message that could be compared to a nugget of wisdom once shared by Maya Angelou, “when people show you who they are, you must believe them.” I didn’t do that, I continued to focus on what was being said. In many cases, as I look back, the truth was right before my eyes, but I wanted to believe otherwise.

I take responsibility for those times of disappointment, sadness, and hurt. At those times, my thought process was faulty. I failed to remember the lessons of Matthew 7:18-20, as well as, the wisdom of Maya Angelou.

Rather than curling into a fetal position and spending time being emotionally distraught, I should have taken the opportunity to model what the Fruit of the Spirit looks like.

Encounters that are rooted in the Fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance; could heal a lot of wounded warriors.

I soon realized that change had to begin with me. Change meant that when faced with fruitless encounters, I needed to respond with fruit. Fruitless plus fruitless only equaled fruitless. The lesson learned for me was, if I wanted to have a different experience, I had to boldly walk in the fruit I was searching for. By boldly walking in the fruit of the spirit, there was a strong possibility that my example just might catch on!

Tanya M. Wilson is a Charlotte-based inspirational speaker. Find her on Facebook.

Read more Tanya Wilson articles:

No Comment On Fantasia.

Inspiration: Find Joy In Your Life And Family.

It’s raining life.