When God’s Fruit Overflows, Everyone Around Notices
- Dr. Jackie Minor
- Sep 7
- 4 min read
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
— Galatians 5:22–23
“How can you be so calm at a time like this?”
“I’m shocked at how patient you are with her. She was so frustrating to teach.”
“Why don’t his comments bother you? Aren’t you offended?”
“How can you be so nice to her when she’s been so mean to you?”
If you’ve been in education for long, you’ve probably heard questions like these. They often come from colleagues or friends who are genuinely puzzled by the way you respond to difficult situations. For Christians, those questions should feel like open doors. These are moments when people notice something different in us. What will we do when these opportunities present themselves to us? Will we take advantage of the moment and point people to Christ?
A Classroom Story
I’ll never forget one student who made every day a test of my patience. She interrupted lessons, rolled her eyes at every instruction, and loved to stir up drama with her classmates. By mid-year, she had worn down even the most seasoned teachers.
One day after class a colleague asked me, “How do you keep from losing it with her? I’d be yelling every day!” I had to smile because the truth was I felt like yelling plenty of times. However, on that particular morning, I had prayed specifically for patience and love. I had asked God to help me see her the way He did. That shift changed everything.
Instead of seeing her as a problem, I began to see her as a young girl carrying more than her share of pain. I didn’t excuse her behavior, but I chose to respond differently. A gentle word. A calm tone. A second chance. Over time, her walls came down, and she began to open up. One day she told me, “You’re the only teacher who doesn’t seem mad at me all the time.” My colleague also noticed, and it gave me the opportunity to share that the patience wasn’t mine. It was the Spirit of God working in me.
Everyday Opportunities
Teaching is full of pressures—demanding schedules, unexpected interruptions, challenging students, critical parents, and shifting expectations from administrators. Those realities don’t just test our classroom management skills. They test our hearts.
When someone notices that you didn’t snap back at a rude comment or lose your temper in a stressful moment, they’re really noticing the presence of the Holy Spirit at work in you. These everyday opportunities—comments in the hallway, moments in the staff room, questions from students—are powerful platforms for displaying the fruit of the Spirit. Peter reminded us of this very thing.
“In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Real Responses to Real Questions
Think about how you might answer some of these everyday comments.
How can you be so calm at a time like this?
I can remain calm because I know God is in control, even when circumstances feel overwhelming. He gives me peace when I should be anxious.
I’m shocked how patient you are with her. She was so frustrating to teach.
It’s definitely not easy, but I believe every child is created in God’s image. That truth reminds me to give my best, even when it’s hard.
Why don’t his comments bother you? Aren’t you offended?
My worth doesn’t come from his approval. I know I’m called to live with integrity before the Lord, and that gives me freedom from being easily offended.
How can you be so nice to her when she’s been so mean?
I try to remember that hurting people often hurt others. I want to see her the way Jesus does and extend grace instead of taking offense.
These kinds of answers don’t just quiet curiosity. They shine a light on the transforming power of the Spirit.
Staying in Step with the Spirit
Of course, we can’t fake this kind of fruit. Left on our own, frustration, bitterness, and irritation will rise to the surface. Paul’s reminder is critical. He noted, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). We must stay rooted in Christ, spending time in His Word, seeking Him in prayer, and allowing the Spirit to shape our character day by day. When we do, the fruit of the Spirit becomes less of a checklist to strive for and more of an overflow of what God is already doing in us.
For educators, that overflow matters more than we realize. Students are watching. Colleagues are noticing. Parents are observing. In ways we may never fully see, the Spirit is using our quiet responses, our patient actions, and our kind words to point people back to Christ.
Dear Educator
Take care of your heart. Don’t try to live the Christian life in your own strength. This will lead to exhaustion and disappointment. Instead, daily align yourself with the Spirit of God. Read His Word. Pray for His wisdom. Ask Him to fill you with His presence. Then, when the opportunities come—and they will—you’ll be ready. Fill your life with Christ, and the fruit of the Spirit will naturally flow out of you.
Lord, help me walk in step with Your Spirit today. Let Your love, patience, and kindness overflow in my life so that others see You in me. Use even the smallest conversations as opportunities to shine Your light. Amen.
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