I am Nice, but am I Good?

By bethanngormong, March 9, 2020

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
‭‭Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

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The Fruit of the Spirit:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Forbearance (patience)
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-control

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So often I focus on the behaviors I shouldn’t have.

It’s nice to think about how i should act instead.

Of all these positive traits, the hardest for me is goodness. I can smile and be polite all day long. In fact I was named Nicest Person in my graduating class.

But being good is very different than being nice.

Goodness is harder. It involves treating others the way they need, not just surface sweetness.

Goodness involves caring more about another’s needs than my own desires or comfort.

So lately I’ve been asking God for the ability to be good, instead of being nice.

Lord,

Teach me goodness over niceness.

Help me care about others,

even when it involves sacrifice,

especially when it involves sacrifice.

Amen.