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The Comforter

In John 14, Jesus promises to send his disciples "another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth." This Comforter was sent as a source of comfort and peace, and to "teach...all things and bring all things to your remembrance." Jesus would soon be leaving them, and they needed another comforter to guide and comfort them in his absence. We, like Jesus' disciples, live without Jesus' physical presence. This makes it so much harder to have faith and hope and to find meaning. I so often find myself wishing for more physical evidence, for something concrete to fasten my faith to. And that is why I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost in my life. The Spirit testifies of Christ to my soul and gives me a reason to keep believing. Through the Spirit, I can more easily see God's work in my life and I feel myself guided through decisions both small and significant. I also don't know what I'd do without the Holy Ghost's comforting power. So many times when I've felt stressed out, alone, or afraid, I feel the Spirit communicating God's love for me.
It makes me sad that I live so much of my life without the influence of the Spirit. I let my stress, egotism and even my fun cloud out the "still, small voice." I let my fear and doubt overcome my faith, and refuse to hear the testimony of the Spirit. And yet somehow, I sit still and listen just long enough to let the Spirit in, to hear that whisper saying, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you....let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." And on those days, I resolve to make space for this Comforter in my life.

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