The common theme around the fruit of the Holy Spirit is that it’s not something we can develop by ourselves; as much as it grows in us, it is a manifestation of our relationship with the Holy Spirit. And like any other fruit which naturally takes time to grow, the fruit of the Spirit takes time to develop. It is mainly grown from encounters with people and situations that help shape a particular character in us. It’s easy to be kind and friendly to people who show the same gesture to us; it is harder when these people have hurt us. We are living in a world that is glorifying the cancel and cut-off culture. If you do me wrong, I block you. But the counter-cultural kingdom of God invites us to show kindness, to be tender-hearted, and to forgive those who hurt us. It is not easy to forgive, especially when the offender is not remorseful. We can only do this with the help of the Holy Spirit. Showing compassion to those who have been mean is only doable by the power of the Holy Spirit. We would need to assume the posture of humility just as Christ did when on the cross, naked and in pain, said, ‘forgive them Father for they know not what they do’.