(by Dr. Larry Ollison)

We were designed and created by God to walk in all the fruit of the Holy Spirit. God created us to be masters at walking in love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.

We were not created to handle stress, anxiety, worry, and strife. That's why these negative emotions and feelings have such damaging effects on our physical bodies.

Medical research is discovering that love, joy, peace, and all the other parts of the fruit of the Spirit actually have beneficial effects on our physical bodies.

The Bible says in Proverbs 17:22 that, "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." Laughter and joy actually have medicinal, healing effects on our bodies.

When Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, the whole human race fell with him. Now that Jesus has redeemed mankind from the curse of sin, we are free to begin exploring and experiencing life as God originally designed us to live it! It was never the will of God for us to live bitter, oppressed, joyless lives. That's not what we were created for, but mankind has become so used to living that way that most people are experts at it.

Too many people are professionals at walking in unforgiveness and anger. Some are so developed at walking in depression and insecurity that it has become second nature to them. Others are actually artists at dwelling on wounds and hurts from the past. Did you know that it is unnatural for people to live this way? The world wants you to think that it is perfectly normal to be miserable and that there isn't any other way - but there is!

In John 10:10 Jesus said, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Jesus wants us to live the way God originally designed for us to live (an abundant life). That's why He died on the cross for you and me.

God wants us to experience this abundant life, and the Holy Spirit is standing by ready to show you what this life is all about. The Holy Spirit wants you to know the difference between life and death. He wants you to be able to discern the difference between what is truth and what is a lie. He wants to show you how to recognize what is good and what is evil (1 John 2:26-28).

If you want to live this type life, you must maintain constant awareness of the Holy Spirit. You must be willing to obey God at all times. If you are willing to obey and honor God in every thought and deed, you will experience a beautiful time of renewal and transformation. Things may not be easy at first, but you will be very pleased with the results. It takes a lot of trust in God to live this way, but living for God is the most beautiful way to live.