The other day, we received some bad news…the kind of news that results in a ripple effect. Do you know what I mean? It wasn’t just the bad news that we were worried about; it was everything that we could face, as a result of it. Suddenly, all of the possible scenarios ran through my mind…this could happen, or that could happen. And all of the scenarios had one thing in common. They were full of negativity…they were the worst possible outcomes of our situation. I’m going to be honest and tell you that I spent the rest of that day gripped by the spirit of fear. It was like I was sitting in a deep pit that I couldn’t climb out of. I couldn’t get my mind to shift focus. I had no words for prayer. All I could do was ask the Lord for help.
When you don’t know what to pray, use the simple words that you do have.
There have been so many times when I was at a loss for words, and all I could say was, “Jesus help me.” And that was enough. We don’t have to be able to fully express everything that we need Jesus to do in our lives. He fully knows our situation. He knows exactly what we need. Our simple prayers for help– even just crying out His name– are enough.
…for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! (Matthew 6:8 NLT)
The next day, I was faced with the reality of what we were going through. Again, I thought of this ripple effect that the bad news could bring. But this time, I made the decision that I would choose to have faith in the unseen favor and promises of God, instead of living in the fear of what tomorrow could bring. This is what my prayer for help produced. God gave me the ability to have hope in a situation where all I felt was hopelessness. The Lord gave me the strength that I needed to choose faith in the face of my fears.
Walking in faith is not a feeling. It is a choice.
Faith is a choice that we have to make day after day…moment after moment. But we don’t have to have the strength to choose faith on our own. The Holy Spirit, our Helper, will give us the strength that we need.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful. (John 14:26-27 NASB2020)
God has something to say about everything that we go through.
He has something to say about our trials. He has something to say about our disappointments and grief. He has something to say about our fears. But, It’s hard to remember the word of God, when we’re so focused on what we are going through. This is why we need the Holy Spirit’s help. According to Jesus, the Holy Spirit reminds us of the things that God has spoken over us.
When I prayed and asked for the Lord’s help, I found strength because the Holy Spirit reminded me of the promises of God. He reminded me that I am never alone, because He is present with me every second of every day. He reminded me that although my situation was a surprise to me, it wasn’t a surprise to Him. He goes before me. He sends provision before me. He sends favor, grace, and mercy before me.
The word of God is always encouraging.
For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB2020)
God always speaks life, not death. He always speaks hope, not hopelessness. So, if you ever feel hopeless in life, know that this is not what God has spoken over you. According to scripture His plans are to give you a future and a hope. If you don’t have this hope, ask the Holy Spirit for help. He knows exactly what you’re going through, and He knows exactly what you need at that moment.
The Holy Spirit reminds us of what we’ve read in the word of God.
This is such an important point that I have to make. In John 14, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will remind us of what he’s said. But how can the Spirit remind us of something that we don’t know to begin with?
We must spend time in the word of God, if we want to see the fruit of it in our lives.
When we consume the word of God, we have the opportunity to see transformation in our lives. If you are in need of healing, read the word of God. If you are in need of provision, read the word of God. If you are in need of hope, read the word of God. Everything we need is found in Him…it’s found in His word.
When I went through one of the most difficult seasons of my life, I depended on the word of God to get me through every single day. I posted scriptures on my bathroom wall, because I needed to be reminded of the promises of God every day and every night. I also kept my favorite scriptures in the notes section of my phone, so that I could carry them with me wherever I went.
Rehearsing scripture changes the way that we think.
Instead of thinking doubt, I began to think in faith. Instead of thinking thoughts of hopelessness, I began to think the thoughts of hope that come from knowing the promises of God. But as I said earlier, there comes a time when life takes a turn for the worst, and at this time, we need the Holy Spirit’s help.
He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me. (Psalms 18:16-19 NLT)
When we call on the Spirit, He rescues us…He strengthens us…He supports us…He leads us to safety. But we must follow Him.
Once the Holy Spirit reminds us, we have a choice to make.
Will we agree with our fears? Will we agree with the bad report–the facts of our situation? Or will we agree with the word of God? Will we choose faith?
God will always give us the tools that we need, but He will never make us use them.
Today, you have a choice to make. Will you continue to put your faith in what you can see…the facts of your situation? Or will you begin to put your faith in the God of the unseen? Will you trust His word? Will you trust that He has good plans for your life, plans to give you a hope and a future?
Whatever you need is found in Him. The hope that you need is found in Him. The strength that you need is found in Him. The peace that you need is found in Him. But in order for you to experience these things, you must choose to have faith in Him. Have faith in His plan for your life. Have faith in the promise that He has given you. Have faith that He wants what’s best for you. He will provide you with everything that you need to walk the path that He’s set before you. Choose to trust Him today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me your Spirit. Thank you for being present with me every second of every day. Thank you for giving me your word, and for reminding me of the amazing promises that you have spoken over my life. Today, I am making a conscious decision to choose faith over the fear of what may happen tomorrow. Regardless of what I see, I will put my faith in you. Regardless of what I feel, I will choose to hope in you. And when I am weary, I will rely on your Spirit. I will rely on my Comforter, my Helper, and my Advocate. I will ask Him for help, and I will patiently wait for Him to rescue me. I know that He will come through for me. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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