Linda and I just got back last night from Baltimore, where we visited her parents and a couple of churches. It was about a 20-hour drive with a dog. We praised God for protecting us as we drove back to Dallas. In one part of our journey back to Dallas, we got lost trying to get something to eat. We saw a sign for Chick-fil-A and followed the exit sign, but I wasn't paying attention that the exit led to another highway. Following the highway, I missed my turn, and that was when I realized that we were lost. I looked at the GPS, and it showed a crisscrossing pattern. I was getting frustrated, but I thank the Holy Spirit, who is always with us, reminded me to pray. I didn't want to waste more time and gas, so I humbly asked our Lord Jesus for guidance and wisdom. After praying, my mind became more focused and relaxed, and the Lord eventually led us to the Chick-fil-A restaurant. Linda and I could have allowed our emotions to control us and became frustrated and angry, but instead, the Spirit of God won our hearts to rely on His guidance, which led us to calm down so that we could go back on our way back to Dallas.
Little things surprise us and lead us to frustration and anger. One movie character said that life is full of surprises. You will never know what you are going to get. However, we have the Holy Spirit in us, working in our hearts and minds to remind us to always rely on God in whatever situations we are in. John 14:26 says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." Our Father in Heaven sent the Holy Spirit to live in us to teach us how we should live and remind us of all the promises that God has for us. When we are lost and not knowing what to do next, the Holy Spirit is always there to remind us to pray and trust in the Lord. In the midst of my confusion, the Holy Spirit guided me. We always have the Holy Spirit in us because He lives in us. The moment we genuinely believe in our Lord Jesus and surrender our lives to Him, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives to be with us until the end.
We need to always listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting in our lives. When He reminds us to pray, let us pray immediately. When He prompts us not to give in to anger or rage, let us walk away and calm down. When He prompts us not to lie, let us tell the truth. When He prompts us not to worry or be fearful, let us trust in the power and strength of our Lord Jesus. When the Holy Spirit prompts us not to be selfish or self-centered, let us think of others more than ourselves.
Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why did our Heavenly Father send us the Holy Spirit to live in us? What should be my response when the Holy Spirit prompts me to do something? What happens when I listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my life?
Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.
Prayer:
Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for sending me the Holy Spirit to teach and remind me of your ways. Please help me always follow the Holy Spirit's prompting in my life. Please forgive me when I allow my sinful attitude to overcome my emotions. Please give me the courage and strength to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my life. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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