If you desire a life that overflows with the Fruit of the Spirit, this Bible study encouragement is for you.
Let’s talk about what living out the Fruit of the Spirit actually looks like in real life — especially for Christian women navigating midlife, leadership, family, and faith.
Abiding Over Striving
In John 15, Jesus walks His disciples through the vineyard and describes what it means to abide in Him. He speaks of producing “fruit that will last” (John 15:16).
The disciples understood something we often forget: fruit develops slowly over time in the right environment, under the careful hand of the Master Gardener.
As Christian women, we want our lives to overflow with spiritual fruit — the kind that lasts. Yet many of us fall into the trap of believing we must do more, serve more, and try harder.
The result? Exhaustion. Frustration. Striving to be a “good Christian.”
But Jesus never asked us to be a good person.
He invited us to follow Him (Matthew 4:19).
So why do we keep striving?
The answer is found in abiding.
To abide means to dwell, to remain, to stay connected. Yet we often rush through the very spiritual disciplines that nurture lasting fruit — Bible reading, prayer, surrender, obedience.
Can I gently remind you? There are no shortcuts to a life that produces the fruit Paul describes in Galatians 5:22–23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
If we attempt to manufacture love, joy, or patience in our own strength, we will only wear ourselves out.
The key to spiritual growth — especially for Christian women over 40 who desire depth — is abiding in Christ through the Word of God.
Fruit is not forced.
It is formed.
It’s Not About You
Rick Warren famously opens The Purpose Driven Life with these words: “It’s not about you.”
Those five words are both humbling and freeing.
Yes, in Christ we find peace, comfort, courage, and hope. But following Jesus is about more than our personal happiness.
The next generation is watching.
They need to see spiritually mature women who remain steady when life feels uncertain. They need to witness the Fruit of the Spirit overflowing in real time — not perfection, but perseverance.
Your impact as a modern Proverbs 31 woman extends far beyond your quiet time.
Your home.
Your family.
Your church.
Your community.
When you choose to abide in Christ and allow His Word to dwell richly within you, your life becomes living testimony.
Your journey with Jesus is personal — but it is never private.
God’s Work in You
As we surrender our will to Christ and commit to reading and studying the Bible consistently, the Fruit of the Spirit becomes the natural overflow of His work within us.
Love deepens.
Joy steadies.
Peace anchors.
Patience grows in difficult seasons.
Kindness becomes courageous and truthful.
Faithfulness strengthens in everyday obedience.
Spiritual fruit develops one day at a time as we remain connected to Jesus — our true source of life.
This is the beauty of abiding in Christ: transformation happens from the inside out.
Our Willing Surrender
Surrender means releasing our need to control and fully trusting that God is working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
When we willingly surrender, we begin to see what Jesus described in that vineyard: a life that bears much fruit.
We stop striving to prove ourselves.
We stay rooted in Christ.
We trust the process of growth.
And slowly — beautifully — our lives begin to overflow.
Christian woman, you were never called to perform for God.
You were invited to follow Jesus.
YOUR TURN
Who in your life will be most impacted by your willing surrender to Christ?
Who is waiting to see what it looks like for a courageous, modern Proverbs 31 woman to abide faithfully in Jesus?
If you’re ready to stop striving and start abiding, leave a comment below. I would love to pray for you — and I’ll send you my FREE Proverbs 31 Day Bible Reading Plan.
Coming Soon
My next Bible study resource for Christian women will be available in March. If you want to stay in the know, be sure you’re on my mailing list!
If you’re already getting my newsletter and blog updates, you’re all set.
If not, then simply provide your info below so you don’t miss out!
