Hang On

Don’t suppress the Spirit. Don’t brush off Spirit-inspired messages, but examine everything carefully and hang on to what is good. Avoid every kind of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (CEB)

After recently ending a month of fasting, I recognized the importance of its significance early this morning. I normally try to sleep in a little extra on the weekends, but the tug to rise before daylight became unavoidable. I reached out to God this morning in my one on one time and heard the whisper to read 1st Thessalonians. I wondered why that was the text to read after my daily devotion and then I found these spirit filled words from the apostle Paul to believers in Thessalonica (north of modern Greece) that I know we can all grab onto today during these evil days.

I have been hearing from many believers and non-believers about how dark, perilous, and tumultuous this world has become in recent days. Do you notice it? Do you sense the shift in the atmosphere? It is almost like a spiritual earthquake with invisible tectonic plates, but the aftershocks are creating waves of dissonance, confusion, and darkness. That is the best way that I can describe it to myself. Honestly, it can be off putting, because as we toil day by day, we may feel like we are stepping into quick sand sometimes as the world around us provides increased pressure and decreased comfort.

And as I searched for solace, I found His peace. I saw these words which reminded me to stay close to the Holy Spirit in these times. During my fasting period, God was dealing with me on many levels. He was refining me more, purifying my heart, testing my resolve, my faith in Him, increasing my awareness of His presence, correcting my posture, and drawing me to messages and words that fed my spirit with the right food, no matter how convicting. He also blessed me with many dreams and interpretations, fortitude, and His love. He met me where I was and came alongside me as a gentle Father to assist me with understanding.

In all transparency, it has been difficult to continue to examine my ways because it has led to a deeper level of introspection that I was not ready for, but what God needs of me to be able to withstand and to conquer in this next season. So just like you, I am hanging on. I am hanging on to His Word and to Him which is the only thing in this world that is truly good. Thank God for His Word, for the leading of the Holy Spirit, and for His grace. Stay Tapped in! Let’s remain aware of His presence and commit ourselves to obedience in Him and covenant with Him.

Stay Encouraged and Hang On

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.