reactions...

J. I. Packer wrote in Knowing and Doing the Will of God,

Love is the Christlike reaction to people’s malice.
Joy is the Christlike reaction to depressing circumstances.
Peace is the Christlike reaction to troubles, threats, and invitations to anxiety.
Patience is the Christlike reaction to all that is maddening.
Kindness is the Christlike reaction to all that are unkind.
Goodness is the Christlike reaction to bad people and bad behavior.
Faithfulness and gentleness are the Christlike reactions to lies and fury.
Self-control is the Christlike reaction to every situation that goads you to lose your cool and hit out.

So much of the fruit of the Spirit has to do with our reactions to people and to our circumstances in life. The fruit helps us choose what to do when situations or people seem not to be moving as quickly or acting as we would like them to.

will i choose, today, tomorrow, 5 weeks from now, to allow God's love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, His goodness, faithfulness and gentleness and self-control to penetrate my heart and life so deeply that *His* reactions are my normal reactions, instead of the occasional surprise?

oh Jesus, invade my life so completely that You are all others see when they look at me...