One of the distinct features of the Holy Spirit is the consolation He brings to His own people. Specifically referred to as our “Comforter”, the Spirit of Christ reserves some of His greatest work for those who grieve. And we praise Him for that. Nobody has a big problem being comforted. The real challenge on the other hand, is allowing ourselves to qualify for it. If comfort is to be offered, there must be a reason for it, a legitimate need. To know & experience the Holy Spirit as our Comforter therefore, will demand our misery, anxiety, and/or despair…all the things we hope and pray to avoid. But He cannot become a comfort to us until we desperately need it.
Stay Put…
The last command that Jesus gave to men on this planet was to “wait”, and it was made in reference to the Holy Spirit. If His disciples wanted what the Holy Spirit had to offer, they’d be expected to remain patient. The Holy Spirit operates on a different timetable than we do, and we cannot rush (nor delay) His perfect work. Especially in regard to comforting us in difficult times. He cannot and will not become a comfort to us unless we diligently wait for Him.
When you run away from a difficult situation you’re only running away from where the Holy Spirit was scheduled to meet you
Exactly how hard it was for Christ’s men to obey that final command is impossible for us to know. Until, of course, Jesus requires the same thing of you.
Don’t Go…
In times of crisis, the last thing we want to do is “wait” for help. But unlike some over-the-counter pain medicines, the Holy Spirit doesn’t promise “immediate relief”. Pain and suffering have too much intrinsic value for God to purge your life of them too quickly. Your job isn’t to avoid pain at all costs. And it’s not your responsibility to rush the work of the Spirit. All God expects you to do is resist the temptation to walk away before He gets there to help. One of the greatest personal disciplines of any hurting Christian is to wait for the promise of Comfort.
If you ever hope to experience the consolations of the Holy Spirit in times of crisis, you’ll need to reject the cheap substitutes offered by the world. And there are many. You already know what they are, and you know which ones you’re most liable to indulge in. Whether it be alcohol or naps, TV and ice cream, hot showers and comfort food, we have countless methods to cope with our gloom, none of which involve the Holy Spirit. If we won’t wait upon Christ for comfort in times of distress, we may never experience the richness of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.
Some hapless Christians have already missed out on the greatest comfort they could ever have known because they left the place they were commanded to stay at. When you run away from a difficult situation you’re only running away from where the Holy Spirit was scheduled to meet you.
Just Wait…
Sometimes we’re in such a hurry for the wretchedness to end, we grab ahold of the first and easiest thing that promises relief. Unfortunately (for those with impulsive tendencies), the world is usually quicker to offer you reprieve than God is willing to come to your rescue. Rest assured, the Lord desires to comfort you. But He also wants your suffering to run its full course and have its full effect. The world, however, does not. The world has no interest in you becoming a better Christian. It only wants you to be comfy. Satan only wants you to be comfy. Your flesh only wants to be comfy, but God wants better things for His children. Far better things. That’s why He’s given us His Holy Spirit.
Our Father allows suffering, not to push us away from Him, but to bring us closer. Never forget that.
Are you in a particularly challenging situation lately? Count yourself blessed when you fall into various trials like yours. That’s God preparing you to experience His Holy Spirit in a way that’s off-limits to those who live a trouble-free life. Wait for the Holy Spirit to come and fulfill His ministry. He will comfort you in due time. It’s what He does.
“From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord” Psalm 121