“The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23

Have you ever made a comment and immediately wished you could take it back? I know that feeling all too well. I graduated high school during the threshold of social media’s popularity; when texting became the main form of communication. So during a time that was crucial to my growth and maturity, I was discovering a voice through unsubstantial media trends and opening up about my feelings in unhealthy, selfish ways. Being someone who is moderately introverted, I can recall messaging things to people I would have never said to them in person and then regretting those careless words in the proceeding minutes, months, and years to follow. Even today I can recall online conversations that I wish I could retract. I think about the harm they could have potentially had on someone’s life and how that hurt could have stemmed from something so avoidable had I practiced self-control.

Momentary frustration can lead to actions and words that can’t be taken back. Several Proverbs in the Bible challenge us to think about how to respond when people seem to cause these frustrations. Proverbs 12:16 tells us “A fool’s anger is known at once.” And in 20:3, “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Then there’s this one that really hits home: “A fool always loses his temper, but a wise man holds it back” (29:11).

Pursuing kindness and acting with patience can seem pretty difficult sometimes. But the apostle Paul says it is the work of God, the “fruit of the Spirit.” We must turn to Him when we fail to display self-control and He will help produce that “fruit” in us. No one wants to live life regretting the words they couldn’t unsay, actions they couldn’t undo, or texts they couldn’t delete. But we can learn from those mistakes, grow, and implement a spirit of gentleness when we encounter future tests.