Trust the Direction of the Spirit

Have you ever had those conversations where you look back wondering why you said what you did? Feeling like you were awkward or drifted from topic or said something foolish?

I had one such conversation the other day with a client. In conversing with her I asked about a member of her family and I could tell she got a little uncomfortable. I spent much of the rest of the day being self-critical, wondering why I asked, whether I should have asked and feeling very insecure about my ability to talk to anyone.

In my own confusion over it I began asking the Lord about it, several days later I believe He laid the answer on my heart.

It corresponds to some verses I have been memorizing in Colossians

⁹ For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ¹⁰ that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; ¹¹ strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; ¹² giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light (Colossians 1:9-12)

 

Paul trusted God to give the Colossians wisdom and understanding, which would enable them to live honoring the Lord. These things would be given them through the Holy Spirit.

If the prayer of our hearts is always ever, ‘Lord, fill me with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and understanding so that I may honor You in all I say and do.’ He will answer the prayer. He has given His Spirit to enable us to do so.

Rather than spending time feeling insecure about my ability to communicate with others, I should be spending my efforts thanking Him for the wisdom and direction He gives through His Spirit. I should be relying on Him, trusting that He is directing the words of my mouth.

For the particular situation last week, maybe that woman needed to be asked about that family member. Rather than concerning myself with her discomfort when I mentioned this person, I could bring her to the Lord in prayer.

Our Father desires we walk with confidence, trusting in His direction, trusting that He fills our mouths with words for a given time and place, just as these verses from Colossians say.

In all your encounters, through work, church, family, and daily life, ask for His wisdom and understanding to guide your words and trust that He will do it.