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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