The troubles of this life can seem endless and overwhelming. Waves of personal, societal, and cultural challenges crash over us relentlessly. It’s tempting to medicate our way through, but only Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit can give us what we truly need: soft hearts of compassion and steel spines of courage and conviction.
As Jesus tells His disciples in John 16, the Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, revealing that only Jesus truly satisfies those things. And the Spirit guides the church into all truth, continually pointing us to Jesus, who models both compassion and resolve. When the Spirit fills us, He shapes us more and more into the likeness of Christ, strengthening us to “finish strong” and remain faithful, even when the waters ahead seem as choppy as those behind.
- We need the Holy Spirit to endure in the midst of trouble. The Spirit gives us “soft hearts and steel spines.”
- Jesus says we need the Spirit because without Him, we cannot love unconditionally, remain faithful, or endure persecution.
- The Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment by revealing that only Jesus truly satisfies those things. This gives us compassion for others.
- The Spirit guides the church into all truth by the Scriptures, by spiritual discernment, and through the wisdom of the community.
- The Spirit points us to Jesus, who models both compassion and courage. As we follow Jesus, the Spirit helps shape us to be more like Him.
- The Spirit strengthens us to “finish strong” and remain faithful even when challenges seem overwhelming. He cheers us on toward Christ.
The Holy Spirit wants to empower and transform you, dear reader. He wants to soften your heart with compassion even for those who oppose you. And He wants to strengthen your resolve to keep moving forward in faithfulness and truth, no matter the obstacles.
Will you open yourself fully to the Spirit today?
Will you invite Him to guide you into all truth, convicting you of any idols or unbelief in your heart, and pointing you continuously to Jesus?
Only as we are filled with the Spirit can we truly endure all that this life brings. Only by His power within us can we finish strong.
Will you surrender fully to the Spirit today, and let Him reshape you more and more into the image of Jesus Christ?