As a born-again Christian, I believe in the resurrection of Christ (Luke 24). After His resurrection, Christ spoke of “going away”, so that the Comforter can come (John 16:7). The Comforter is the Holy Spirit or God’s Spirit. The God I serve, is the three in one, God the Father, Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They are equal and I have a relationship with all. I believe that Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one can come to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
On accepting Christ as my Lord and Saviour, I received his Spirit. God’s Spirit lives in me and is alive in me (Romans 8:9). There are benefits to having the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”. Christ was the example of the perfect man that embodied these fruits.
The Holy Spirit helps me to develop these fruits in order that I may become like Christ. And like any other born-again Christian, I aim to imitate Christ. The fruits are developed through pruning in order to bear more fruit and learning the Word (John. 15:1-5 and Romans 5:2-5). In fact, Christ is the vine and I am a branch growing from Him and aiming to bear His fruit.
Although, I have a beautiful spiritual being living in me, I am a physical being with a will or a mind and emotions. This means that like any other person, I can decide what I want to do; I have various thoughts and some of the time I struggle with rogue, runaway and repetitive thoughts.
As a recent small business owner in a very slow economy, I have had to overcome serious hurdles. Being independent and coming from nothing, has taught me to rely on myself. However, as a follower of Christ, I surrendered my life to him and trust that He will take care of me (Psalm 78:21-22; Philippians 4:19). I no longer run ahead and work out my own problems. Rather, I speak to God, my Father about it and have to wait patiently to hear from him through his Holy Spirit. During my waiting period, my intention is to focus on him and not my problem (Isaiah 26:3). I believe that as I go through life, good or bad, all things will work out for my good (Romans 8:28). Trusting God is the ultimate source to living a stress free life (1 Peter 5:7). I always believed that I completely trusted God, but lately, I’m questioning just how surrendered I was and how much I trusted Him? Either way, my shortcomings didn’t stop His faithfulness.
Now that things are out of my control and I’m completely helpless, again. I cry out to God, my Father in my quiet or prayer times. How do I do this? Through the help of the Holy Spirit. I meditate in His language. I can be honest about what I am feeling. The Spirit talks and responds to me either through scriptures; phrases of Words or dreams. I have a test to determine whether a scripture, phrase, dream or vision is from the Holy Spirit. I suppose it could be that scriptures and or phrases are placed in my subconscious mind by the Holy Spirit and I receive it through thoughts. So, I have rationalised to answer my intellectual mind.
However, in order to listen to the Holy Spirit, I have to quiet my busy life and “monkey” mind. I need to be still or quiet because the voice of the Holy Spirit is “…a still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-13). I do this through what is called the renewing of mind (Romans 12:2) and capturing rogue and runaway thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5). I replace rogue, runaway thoughts which I believe are lies and untruths with scriptures. I also quiet my mind through worship, prayer and reading the Word. The more stressful or helpless the situation, the more time I spend with God to quiet my mind to hear from Him through the Holy Spirit.
Other than being an intercessor and comforter to me, the Holy Spirit is also my best friend, confidant, advocate, business partner, etc. Now, as I conclude, I somehow cherish the seasons of trials and tribulations because without it, I wouldn’t spend so much time seeking God’s face, spend time with my best friend or experience spiritual growth. In fact, my busy life would take me in various different directions. Leaving me to miss these very sacred and beautiful quiet times.
Zelna Jansen
Zelna Jansen is the Executive Director of Zelna Jansen Consultancy, a lobbying and advocacy firm with the aim of bringing people together to find solutions and helping people to have a more effective conversation with their law- and policy-makers.
She is an admitted attorney of the High Court, with an especially keen interest in public policy, trade law and constitutional law. She has a Bachelor of Arts (prelaw), a Bachelor of Laws and a Masters of Commerce degree specialising in trade law and policy. Through her volunteerism in leading roles in several organisations she actively engages the community and social spirit necessary to continue to uplift many in South Africa today.
Author: Spirit Connection
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