Before we left the hotel for Mike's surgery he was a little anxious, mainly for the upcoming pain, the rehab an hour after he wakes up and the ride home. During Pastor Barry's prayer he mentioned the fruit of Mike's faith. I had never thought about this.
Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5: 22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..." Trust and loyalty build faithfulness. Hebrews 11: 1, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Every time we surrender and decide to trust God, we are building faith. We are wanting to be more and more obedient. We know Gods way is better. John 15: 5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."
I realized that because of Mike's faith he was bearing fruit - more faith! During this time he could enjoy that faith while asking God to have complete control, making this surgery successful, according to His plan. When Mike asks he asks in faith, with no doubting. The more we use the fruits of the Spirit the more we can strengthen them! We don't receive things from God just because He promised them but because we believe His promises are true! Thank You, God, for the fruit of our faith!