“SOUL MARCH”

9” x 12”

“But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.”

—John 14:26

The Holy Spirit is a most wonderful person (yes, He is a person). You can talk to God, He is close. You can pray in Jesus' name and He also prays for you (Heb 7:25, 1Jn 2:1). But The Holy Spirit, (who also prays for you, Rom 8:26-27) is the third person in the Holy Trinity and He is someone a little different. He lives inside you all the time. He helps you, He will bring things to your memory when you need them. He gives you spiritual gifts: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. (Isa 11:1-2) And the fruits of the spirit come from The Him: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22)

He is The Creator Spirit. He existed before the creation of the universe and through his power everything was made in Jesus Christ, by God the Father. He descended on Jesus like a dove and stayed with Him as His Helper. (Luke 3:22). When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us forever.

Starving vs. Well Fed

Have you ever noticed you’ll grab the quickest food option, regardless of its nutritional value, when you’re starving? Your stomach is growling, you’re fatigued from a long day, maybe your head is starting to ache, and the last thing you want to do is cook a well-balanced meal. You grab the chips, the cookies, or the fast-food. The quicker, the better. Maybe in the moment it feels like pure ecstasy grabbing that quick fix, but feeling sick can often follow. I have learned, if I don’t stay well fed throughout the day, I am at risk of derailing my healthy eating habits by dinner time. 

What does this have to do with dating? I’m glad you asked.

When I am well fed by healthy relationships, lifestyle choices, & a healthy soul, I am more inclined to be patient and trust God. This makes healthy dating choices simple and attainable.

When I am starving in these same areas, I can feel myself becoming impatient and cynical. I start to lose focus and think God’s promises aren’t coming to pass fast enough. In those moments I begin to compromise and look for the quick fix. This makes healthy dating choices difficult and unattainable.

If you feel like God’s promises aren’t coming to pass fast enough, take a moment to assess what’s going on in your life. Before you reach for the quick fix, check in with yourself. Are you feeling well fed or are you starving? 

<3,

Lisa

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience , kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.                                               Galatians 5:22-23

The Fruits of the Spirit are gifts given to you by God.