By this time in an Alaskan winter, I am tired of putting on many layers of clothing to go outside. For several weeks this winter with temperatures at or below zero, more layers than usual were required! After taking off all those layers, I realized the weight I was carrying around to be warm! What a relief to realize that the virtues of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience that we are asked to clothe ourselves in are weightless. They are not heavy, but they do require focus to put them on daily. So, let’s take a quick look at each to see what God might be inviting you to focus on today.

‍

What could it look like to put on mercy? There are many facets to mercy. It even required several different Hebrew and Greek words in the original text of the Bible to express all mercy encompasses. Biblical mercy has been described as the gift of God’s undeserved kindness and compassion that is rooted in His love for us. Mercy also describes the actions God takes to relieve suffering and to demonstrate His faithfulness and love! These are all weighty descriptive words to embrace when putting on mercy, but with God we can. Is God inviting you to put on mercy today by stepping into forgiveness?  

‍

How can you put on kindness? God’s nature of genuine care for others is kindness. It is more than just an act of kindness; it is an inner attitude and a way of being. Maybe this “way of being” is the source for the words that we often hear, “Just be kind!” Kindness can be described as practical love in action. Are you looking for opportunities to be kind and bless others? Even small acts of kindness, like opening a door for someone whose arms are full, can reflect your genuine care for others.  

‍

Putting on humility may take a little more effort for many, since Americans tend to be proud and put themselves first. To put on humility involves copying Christ’s behavior by placing other’s needs above our own. This is not natural for us, so it requires deliberate choices each day. Put aside your own agenda to help others. If your neighbor needs a ride to an appointment, but your day is full, can you find a way to provide one?

‍

We might associate gentleness with weakness, but biblical gentleness reflects strength. When our human strength is harnessed and regulated by God’s guidance, gentleness emerges in our lives. One way this can happen is by encouraging positive relationships and fostering understanding among others when humanity wants us to be more direct.  Within relationships, gentleness can lead to restoration. We must put on gentleness when correction is required or we risk hurting others. To recognize that God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours is putting on gentleness. It is peaceful and powerful! Can you be gentle with a friend or family member today?

‍

Who doesn’t want to put on more patience? In today’s world of instant gratification, it’s challenging to accept that patience grows through waiting and enduring. Patience is all about the spiritual growth we experience as we let God guide our steps through easy and hard situations. This leads to peace as we grow patience. Patience is trusting God’s timing in daily and difficult trials, with an attitude of confidence in his faithfulness. When we gain patience, we can navigate life with more grace. Try putting on patience when you deal with a difficult person today!  

‍

If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit also dwells in you and produces the Fruit of the Spirit in you. In Gal. 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit is listed as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The virtues we need to put on are a part of this list … drumroll … so the virtues are already dwelling in you! Notice that it is “fruit” and not “fruits” – plural! ALL of these virtues are dwelling in you, so you just need to ask the Spirit to help you reflect them when you interact with others. We all have DIFFERENT spiritual gifts from the Spirit like giving, leading, and teaching (1 Cor. 12:4-11), but with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we all have all of the Fruit of the Spirit accessible through Him. He loves us and gives us these virtues to choose to put on every day.

What if you tweaked your morning routine to put on these virtues every day? Write them on a sticky note so you can read them while you brush your teeth! Just like the fabric clothes you put on in the morning, make an active choice, by the strength of the Spirit in you, to put on mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience as your behavioral clothes for the day.

‍

These virtues evidence our love for others. Offer these freely given virtues through the Spirit to others by sharing Christ. Offer them to your One More! A change in our morning routines can change us individually, along with others, and lead us to the life God wants for us.