Our Reactions Begin to Change
Times Of Refreshing Daily Devotional
Date: Tuesday, 18 August 2026
Topic: What Happens When We Stay Close to Jesus (Day 3)
Focus: Our Reactions Begin to Change
🔥Theme:
The quiet transformation that takes place when we continually abide in Christ.
📖 Key Verse:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” — John 15:5
Devotional:
One of the clearest signs that we are growing closer to Jesus is not simply what we say when everything is going well. It is how we respond when something goes wrong. Pressure reveals what is growing inside us. Someone offends us. A plan suddenly changes. We are misunderstood. A difficult person tests our patience. Our natural reaction may be anger, defensiveness, harsh words, or the desire to respond immediately. But when we continually stay close to Jesus, something begins to change. We may still feel the hurt, but we do not have to react from it.
📖 Scripture Reading:
- James 1:19–20 — “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
- Proverbs 15:1 — “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
- Galatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of the Spirit includes patience, gentleness, and self-control.
💧 Refreshing for the Day:
The presence of Christ creates space between what happens to us and how we respond. We begin to pause before speaking. We pray before reacting. We become slower to anger and more willing to listen. Things that once disturbed our peace for days may no longer have the same control over us. This does not happen overnight. Spiritual maturity is often revealed in these small changes. One day we realize that we handled something differently than we would have before.
We did not retaliate. We did not say everything we could have said. We chose peace. We showed grace. That is fruit. Staying close to Jesus does not mean difficult people and frustrating situations disappear. It means they no longer have the same power to determine who we become in the moment. The closer we stay to Christ, the more our responses begin to resemble His. Spiritual growth becomes visible when the things that once controlled our reactions no longer control us the same way. Stay Refreshed!
✨ Note This:
🌿 Sometimes the evidence that Jesus is changing us is not that the situation changed, but that our response to the situation did.
🛡️ Responsibility:
Pay attention to your reactions today. When something frustrates or offends you, pause before responding. Ask yourself, “What response would reflect Jesus in this moment?” Then allow the Holy Spirit to guide your words and actions.
🙏 Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the work You are doing within me. Help me not to be controlled by anger, offense, frustration, or impulsive reactions. Teach me to pause, listen, and respond with the wisdom and grace of Jesus. Fill me with patience, gentleness, and self-control so that even under pressure, my life will reflect Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
🌿 Prophetic Declaration:
The Spirit of God is transforming the way I respond to people and circumstances. Anger, offense, and frustration will not control me. I will walk in patience, wisdom, gentleness, and self-control. Under pressure, the character of Christ will be revealed in me. My words will carry grace, my actions will demonstrate love, and my responses will bring glory to God. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
As always, thank you for reading and until next time. May today’s Times of Refreshing refresh, encourage and empower you! For previous devotionals, please visit: www.thefountspring.org
