Through difficult times, suffering, and moments of doubt, it can feel as if God has abandoned us in this cruel world to fend for ourselves. When our comfortable circumstances suddenly take an unexpected turn for the worse, or things we took for granted are suddenly changed or taken away from us, it is only natural for us to react with fear and panic, or even frustration at God for throwing a curve ball at us once again. We wonder what He is thinking giving us one more thing to deal with right now; or, we wake up and realize our life has turned out completely different than what we had planned, and question whether He is paying us any attention at all. Sometimes, we are faced with an impossible decision, or a situation that could affect the rest of our life, and we struggle to hear His voice through the static of our turbulent thoughts. In these lonely moments, if we quiet our minds, and hold tightly to a hope that will never disappoint us, no matter how full of doubt we may be, we can pray to our Father for strength, leaning on His faithful help, and meditate on listening to our indwelling Holy Spirit. We must remember that we have been sealed by our Father’s love and truth, and by our belief, with the everlasting Spirit that is with us wherever we go regardless of our circumstances. We are never alone when we are filled with the Spirit, and can always look inwardly, listening for its guidance and soothing voice, to be reminded that we are deeply loved by our Father. For the Lord to bestow on us His Spirit of love, holiness, wisdom, and truth, shows His immense and unfathomable love for His children. He did not want to ever make us feel lonely, so He planted a seed of His own Spirit within us, to speak to us and help us through life at all times. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our salvation and heavenly inheritance, and a comforting reminder that our hope is never unfounded. The Lord imparted us with the Spirit to pour out His love into our hearts, and give us a holy guide through life. We can confidently put one foot in front of the next through any struggle, knowing that with the Holy Spirit, the Lord has not abandoned us or orphaned us. We can feel His inescapable, glorious presence in every corner of the world as the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge guides us and counsels us. Instead of feeling fear, we can have joy and peace in all circumstances, confidently following the leading of the Holy Spirit through the storm. By the grace of God and the Spirit within, we can rejoice in suffering, knowing that they are designed for our benefit and best interest, and that only through the testing of a storm can we gain perseverance to weather the storm, unifying with the Spirit and clinging to the Lord, emerging with character steeled by struggles. Through the hope, help, and love of the Spirit, we are never alone.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. ‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you’” John 14:16-18

“Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” Psalm 139:7

“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5

“And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” Isaiah 11:2

“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14