The Grief of Grieving
I sat at our breakfast table and felt a prompting to spend time with God. To my shame, I did not. I sat there and the feeling passed. And then I was overcome by an overwhelming sadness as though my Lord had called and I did not answer. The Shepherd had beckoned and this little sheep just sat there, and the Shepherd walked on.
I remain a Christian, the Lord Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within me, but my choices have consequences. As the beauty of a sunrise or sunset only lasts for a brief moment, I need to quickly respond when the Holy Spirit prompts.
What did I miss at that moment? What truth may He have shared? What sweet fellowship did I miss? Forgive me, Lord. Please forgive me.
Paul wrote, “Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit. … And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin)” (1 Thessalonians 5:19, AMPC; Ephesians 4:30, AMPC).
How my heart saddens that I have stifled, ignored, suppressed, resisted, extinguished a fire, offended, and saddened God’s Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:13 gives comfort that even if we are faithless, He remains faithful. And that if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive (1 John 1:9). How thankful I am for a good, compassionate, long-suffering, and loving God.
Oh, Heavenly Father, forgive me for grieving and quenching Your Holy Spirit. Forgive me when I do not respond in a way that honors You. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Guide, lead, and teach Me. Thank You for Your forgiveness and great mercy that is new every morning.
Have you had a gentle prompting, a quiet whisper in your soul to spend time with the Lord? May your answer be, “My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming’ (Psalm 27:8, NLT).
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