Can you actually force yourself into more patience, more peace, more joy? Dot and Cara dig into Galatians 5 and the fruit of the Spirit this week, landing on something freeing: this fruit isn't something you manufacture, it's what grows naturally out of abiding with God. They get honest about what real intimacy with the Lord looks like day to day, from Dot's own prayer journey to what it actually means to walk in step with the Spirit instead of white knuckling your way through it. Pull up a chair, grab your Bible, and lean in with us.
Got a question about today’s episode or something else you’d like to hear us talk about on the show?
Let us know! Episode Recap
- Intro (00:00)
- Dot and Cara's throwback to a song they used to sing the grandkids about being patient, and why willpower alone never actually produces it (02:11)
- Dot's shift in perspective, the fruit of the Spirit isn't something you chase, it's what grows out of walking in step with the Spirit (04:24)
- What Galatians 5 means by walking in the Spirit, the works of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit, and why you can fake goodness for a while but it never lasts (06:10)
- What abiding and intimacy with God actually look like day to day, hint, it's not striving, it's resting (11:39)
- Dot's story of picking prayer as her word for 2025, and why being honest with God, even about the ugly stuff, is what actually builds closeness with him (16:09)
- Dot's habit of writing down what she senses God saying in prayer, and the moments of confirmation that have followed (23:12)
- Everyday ways to build intimacy with God, from a grandkid's God time to Cara's prayer walks (32:19)
- Peter's do you love me moment with Jesus, and why falling in love with God has to come before we try to produce anything for him (35:16)
Are you interested in having Dot come and speak to your community? Email us at
hello@dotbowen.com.
This Episode’s Scripture Verse
Galatians 5:22-24 (ESV) — "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
What is Write this Down! with Dot Bowen?
Bible teacher, author and founder of Cup of Joy Ministries, Dot Bowen, teaches listeners what it truly looks like to know, love and follow Jesus. Each week, Dot invites you to sit down with her and her daughter, Cara, to have an authentic conversation about Biblical Scripture and God’s Truth. Their honest and thought provoking conversations are full of wit and wisdom which will have you diving deeper into God’s Word.
Whether Dot is teaching, speaking or simply grabbing coffee with a dear friend, she can often be heard saying with excitement, “Write this Down!” Her heart for the listener is to take the things she asks you to write down before the Lord and ask Him to open your eyes to His Truth and love. John 8:32 says, “and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.”
By the end of each episode, you’ll find yourself grabbing a pencil so that you can Write this Down! with Dot Bowen.