A Terrible Holy Spirit.

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 NIV.

God’s Holy Spirit amazes me. He changed my heart and life. Then, He guided me through the adventure of a lifetime. One day, He will raise us from the dead. He is a splendid gift the Lord provided to us.

The other day went great. Then someone said I looked mad. That ruined the rest of it. That spoiled the night by hurting my feelings.

We make a terrible Holy Spirit. Assumptions can be dangerous. We judge someone based on appearances. Then, instruct them on their emotions or actions. The one thing we should remove from our vocabulary is knowing how one feels. We don’t. I am guilty of this. I advised on situations where I was unqualified—or told someone how they felt based upon what I felt when it happened to me. I know I make a terrible Holy Spirit.

I received excellent advice in a Chaplain class I attended before I worked in hospitals. We don't enter bedrooms and proselytize everyone. We listen. Then, ask questions. That’s it! The Lord’s Spirit can open other opportunities, but compassion comes when we listen. We stop giving advice, trying to fix it, telling people how they are supposed to feel, then paying attention. I know this doesn't mean I've mastered it. I failed a lot in this. But it can remind us today we are terrible Holy Spirits. We aren't usually the ones that handle remedying or repairing. That is the Lord’s role.

Teach us to be better listeners, Lord. Guide us in every difficult circumstance. Lead us to be there and give Biblical counsel, not opinion. In Jesus’ name, amen.