4 Powerful Ways the Holy Spirit Will Guide You

Each morning I try to take a brisk walk down our street. There’s a lovely walking trail next to the lake in my neighborhood, but instead of venturing down the trail, I always turn back and stay on the main road instead.

You see, the walking trail runs in between the fishing lake and the houses beside it. It appears to be cutting a path through private property, but my husband assured me that's not the case. And even though I trust my husband fully, I still hesitate before taking the path. I question if it’s safe, or if someone is going to come out their back door and shout at me to stop walking on their property.

I’m a rule follower, and I shudder at the thought of taking a wrong step. If only the path had a clear sign, giving me the okay to go that direction.

My relationship with the Holy Spirit can feel a lot like that walking path. I say that I trust God to guide me, but instead of following with confidence, I let my own thoughts and ideas get in the way. When we sense the Spirit giving us the go-ahead to take a certain path, will we listen? Or will we lean on our own understanding instead?

The Holy Spirit’s Role in Our Lives

When Jesus ascended to heaven to be with the Father, he sent us the Holy Spirit as our Helper and Comforter. As we learn more about who he is and our relationship with him, the Holy Spirit will work powerfully in our lives.

Understanding how the Holy Spirit guides us will help us gain confidence in following his lead. Here are 4 ways the Holy Spirit guides us in our daily lives:

Number One: He will bring specific Scriptures to mind at times when we need them most.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV

Number Two: He shows us where we should or shouldn’t go.

“And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.” Acts:16:6

Number Three: He keeps us from sinful ways.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 ESV

Number Four: He guides us in becoming more like Jesus.

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

For more on what it means to let the Spirit lead you, check out our explanation in the video below:

Carmen & Kristine explain what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.

What Happens When We Follow the Spirit’s Leading

One morning, I decided to trust my husband and take a step of faith down the winding path. “People walk that trail all the time,” he insisted, “I promise you; it will be okay.”

At first, the well-manicured path led me through a peaceful setting next to the serene lake. I listened as a variety of birds sang, reminding me how God feeds even the little birds. (Matthew 6:26)

But soon, overgrowth covered the trail and brush blocked the view in front of me. I paused, and for a moment, I second-guessed my decision. As I was about to turn back, I noticed that I could see through the brush where the trail connected with the familiar street up ahead. I enjoyed the rest of my walk and made it safely to the end. It turned out, my husband was right. (But don’t tell him I said so.)

I’ve been known to second-guess a choice I made, even if I prayed about it and sensed the Holy Spirit guiding me. Because sometimes, the path gets rocky, even when we’re headed in the right direction. Friend, we shouldn’t assume that we’ve made a wrong turn when the path gets rough. The struggle of the rocky terrain may be what God will use to build our faith and strengthen our dependence on him.

Let’s pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us today. May we have wisdom to always seek the Holy Spirit’s understanding instead of our own.

A Prayer to Be Led by the Spirit

Dear Lord,

Teach me to do your will. I know you’ve called me to serve you, but I don’t know what to do next. I want to be led by the Holy Spirit, so I can live out the special purpose you have for me. I seek you today, Father. Let your good Spirit guide me.

Isaiah 30:21 reads, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Sometimes I don’t know which way to go. Help me hear the Holy Spirit’s voice. Teach me how to slow down and take a break from the noise of the world in order to hear you clearly. Help me discern your voice above all others and trust where you lead me.

When I get impatient, thank you for reminding me to seek the fruits of the Spirit, including patience and faithfulness. I know you are with me, and I will continue listening as you direct me to take the next step. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit to lead me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

(This prayer was taken from a devotion by Kristine Brown, written for Crosswalk.)

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3 Obstacles That Show Up When You Want More Time with God

I love watching the variety of birds that come to eat from the birdfeeder hanging just outside my back window. Their different colors, sizes, and sounds remind me of the complexity of our God.

Most of the birds are small in size, but there is one exception. The majestic blue jay that lives nearby. This frequent visitor is huge compared to the others! When he shows up, the strangest thing happens. As he sits proudly on top of the pole guarding the prized food, all the other birds wait on branches a safe distance away, just watching.

It’s as if that blue jay stands between them and what they want most. And they won’t attempt to get closer until he leaves.

Sometimes I can be like those birds in my spiritual life.

I long to draw closer to God, but I let obstacles of this world stand in my way. When things come up that demand my attention, I forget all about my desire to deepen my relationship with my Heavenly Father. I let those obstacles bully me into submitting to their needs. I let them block me from getting what I want most.

If you have the desire to deepen your relationship with God too, then maybe you’ve felt the same way. Below are three things I’ve discovered that show up when I want more time with God. By identifying these obstacles in our lives, we won’t be surprised or intimidated when they arrive. Instead, we can move forward in seeking more time in God’s presence.

Distractions Can Keep Us from Finding More Time with God

Minute by minute updates on all the happenings in the world. Notification sounds. An ever growing to-do list. Distractions come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common. They pull us away from the life-giving nourishment we get from God.

We know God is always with us. His Word says so. But distractions can make us feel like we’re far from him. They can keep our focus elsewhere, and if we don’t turn our focus toward God and acknowledge his presence all throughout the day, we will end each day feeling spent instead of satisfied.

Distractions are time suckers. I can tell myself that I’m going to do a quick glance at Instagram, and an hour later I wonder where the time has gone. Becoming more aware of our daily distractions is a much-needed step when we want to spend more time with God, enjoying his loving presence.

An Over-Full Calendar Can Keep Us from Having More Time with God

I love spending time with people. I enjoy helping, serving, and staying busy. Even though staying busy brings me joy, I can often fall into the trap of filling my schedule too full and leaving no margin to sit and be present with the Lord. Busyness keeps me from experiencing more of God.

Lately, I’ve been reading and learning all I can about what it means to abide in Christ. One thing I’ve learned is that the more I practice abiding, the more I long to abide.

Practicing abiding means making time for him. And that special time with just me and Jesus increases my awareness of his presence in my everyday life. It helps me walk in love, no matter the circumstances, and sense the Holy Spirit guiding my steps.

When we’re intentional about leaving space to spend time with God and abide in Jesus, we will experience more of him in and through every aspect of our daily lives. Including all those things scheduled on our calendars. (For more about busyness, check out this post.)

Too Many “Yeses” Can Keep Us from Experiencing More Time with God

Certain seasons of life will ask more of us than others. Maybe it’s homeschooling our kids or caregiving for a loved one. Maybe we’re called to take in a family member who needs help or step into a leadership role at church. We know from 2 Corinthians 9:7, God loves a cheerful giver. “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” So if God wants us to give of ourselves, when is it okay to say no? Is there any such thing as too much giving?

I struggle with saying “no.” Always have. Even today, I write down in my monthly planner those things I’m saying “yes” to and those things that require a firm “no.” Making those decisions is never easy, but so necessary. I’ve learned in my own faith walk how too many yeses can lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual depletion.

Truth be told, I’ve tried different strategies for making sure my yeses don’t take over my time with God. Some strategies work for me, and some don’t. But if I set a specific time on my calendar at the beginning of the week to simply abide with God, I gain clarity that helps me manage the rest of my week well.

Early Monday mornings, I grab a cup of coffee, open my YouTube app on my phone and click on my “Abiding Time” playlist. I have several videos of piano worship saved there. (Piano worship happens to be my favorite.) When my mind starts to wander to all the things pulling at my attention, I refocus on God. An hour of time with God at the beginning of my week brings peace, clarity, and awareness of his holy presence in my life.

Distractions, our calendars, and even our yeses may try to stand in the way of our closeness with our Almighty God, but I have good news for us today. Whatever obstacle comes between us, we can refuse to be intimidated. When we draw closer to God, He will draw closer to us. James 4:8 declares it, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Let’s remember this promise as we break past obstacles and seek more time with God.