4th Fruit — Clarifications …
First of all, real “Freedom” (a necessary foundation for any act of real Kindness) is not to be confused with being “selfish” or “inconsiderate” (“All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Do not seek your own advantage, but rather that of the other.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:23-24) … Divine Freedom is not the right to do whatever we wish, but rather the right to serve others, in any and all ways that harmonize with Who we truly ARE (“For you were called to Freedom, only do not use your Freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through Love become servants of one another.” ~ Galatians 5:13) … Indeed, it means nothing to be “free” if that liberty is used callously or in ways that cause harm (“Take care that your Liberty does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” ~ 1 Corinthians 8:9) …
Similarly, being Kind does not exempt us from the benefits of being Self-Disciplined. It merely encourages us to be voluntarily disciplined as opposed to “doing right” because we “should” do so or appear so (“God’s Kindness is meant to lead [us] to repentance … When [those] who do not possess the Law [still] Do instinctively what the Law requires, they … show that what the Law requires is written on their Hearts …” ~ Romans 2:4+14-15) …
Finally, the gratitude embodied by true Self-Discipline is not ever “masochistic.” Choosing to be thank-full for life’s challenges does not mandate that you wish for more pain in your life – or even less pleasure. Instead it simply means that you choose to appreciate the opportunities that are always present within the difficulties you happen to encounter (“Nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.” ~ Romans 14:14) … Regardless of whatever you do, pain will find its way into your life. Frustration & disappointment & conflict & dis-ease are always on their way in one form or another, and it is therefore never necessary for us to manifest or desire their premature arrival. The question, then, is not whether pain is on its way or not, but rather what we will choose to do with our discomforts when it does arrive. It is possible (indeed, it is quite preferable) to choose to See all difficulties, discomforts, and pains as challenges as opposed to “catastrophes” or “tragedies” (“Endure everything with patience, while Joy-fully Giving Thanks to the Father.” ~ Colossians 1:11-12) … In short, instead of selfishly complaining about life’s pain-full times, choose to use those moments to be power-fully kind to others instead (“To the pure, all things are pure.” ~ Titus 1:15) …
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