Christians believe that the Holy Spirit dwells within us—teaching, leading, and comforting us.
And yet, sometimes we act as if this were not true. We have this shocking tendency to see ourselves only as sinners who have no good attributes unless God delivers them from above for a set time and in answer to a prayer of confession and a momentary need. We see ourselves as sinners but not as new creations. This is an unhealthy combination.
Where is our spiritual confidence? Why not believe that God is within us, constantly at work, constantly inviting us into communion, wisdom, and love?
During Mass, the liturgy repeats the grand story of our salvation, including the part where Jesus died for us sinners. We repeat this overarching story of God’s love often, and we should.
However, the story of right now is important too. And right now the Holy Spirit dwells within us. As we grow in the faith and become more like Jesus, we learn to trust ourselves as God’s new creation. Because God is at work in me, I become wiser, and sometimes that wisdom speaks to me when I need it. Because God is at work in me, I can sit with any emotion and pray with it, asking questions such as, “Why am I so anxious today, Lord?” I have the spiritual capacity to dig into those questions, learn more about myself, and take good steps because of this information.
Because the Holy Spirit dwells in me, I can begin to trust my intuition, those spiritual hunches that happen sometimes.
We have every reason to be spiritually confident in the work that God is doing within us. In being spiritually confident, I don’t set up myself as the spiritual know-it-all. I am confident in the Spirit within me. Spiritual confidence does not lead to pride; it leads to gratitude.
And, because God created me to be precisely me, God will speak to me in ways that I will understand. If I spend a lot of time in Scripture, then it’s likely that God’s voice within will resonate with something there and give me guidance. If I have a history of working with my dreams, then God may well speak to me through dreams. If I discern big decisions by talking with friends and counselors, then God will meet me in those relationships.
God’s voice is already within you. Do you dare listen? Can you have a bit of spiritual confidence today?
Photo by Katerina Holmes via Pexels.
“Why not believe that God is within us…” – why not, indeed! !?! Thank you for sharing your Spiritual Confidence with us. God bless you – Darlene
Thanks Vinita. We cannot be perennial stumbling blocks to all the good that the Holy Spirit wants to do through us. Indeed we need to relearn to do justice to the enormous potential of the Holy Spirit dwelling in each of us.
Yes, this is such a wholesome attitude that makes our Christian living and decision-making less doubtful. It relieves us of a cloud of doubt that sometimes feels uncomfortable. Vinita, I have difficulty expressing my thoughts, but I think, the relief the Spiritual Confidence provides can only increase our love/desire for God. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. Iole
Wow. Needed this today! Thank you.
Oh my goodness, Vinita, this paragraph is me.
“And yet, sometimes we act as if this were not true. We have this shocking tendency to see ourselves only as sinners who have no good attributes unless God delivers them from above for a set time and in answer to a prayer of confession and a momentary need. We see ourselves as sinners but not as new creations.”
Thank you for sharing your insight and wisdom with us. I will share this.