Ringing Out

“…you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit…The Lord’s message rang out from you.” 1 Thessalonian 1:6-8.

Over the past 10 days the curtain has been pulled back and what has appeared is the object of sorrow and pain for many. Life has a way of drawing a line in the sand distinguishing between ‘before and after’…the day that this happened or that occurred…...life’s message. Time stands still when we make that discovery or we get that phone call. Life ushers in a new situation, whispering in our ears a new message that many times we do not want to hear.

What do we do when we see the unforeseen…how do our hearts respond when we realize the fear and loss? We pray for our hearts to embrace the message received with joy that can only be experienced through the Holy Spirit. Alone, we lack the ability to take the message of suffering and walk it out with joy. But the Lord’s message is how He responds to our circumstances. We do not walk it out with a limp or on one foot but with the provisions of the Holy Spirit. His love, peace and comfort will illuminate from those who allow the comfort of the Trinity to reign within their hearts. Our testimonies will ring true as we reach out with the same comfort we are given. Our message will be authentic when we embrace whatever circumstance in which we are experiencing. To embrace is not to be glad of the circumstance but to accept it and apply God’s grace to the situation.

We must claim the power that God has assigned to His children and approach our season with confidence. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7.