Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7
The greater the storm surrounding you the greater the need for the more mature and complex fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is needed in your life. What are those? Basically all nine, but with an emphasis on the first four. These fruit of the Spirit are developed in us by trial and testing, by challenge and pain, and by repetition. When we’re at our lowest and most stretched, sick, or ‘out of sorts’, then the true measure of the depth of those fruit in us is displayed in our lives. When you’re in such a state how is your ability to listen to the Holy Spirit? We seem to just want to meet with God when we’re at our ‘best’ or our lowest, when we really need to develop the relationship to a trusting level of .. always, everywhere, and honestly. If we can endure — we will reap the rewards.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
We don’t grow spiritually with knowledge we already know. We have to have revelation by the Holy Spirit to grow spiritually. This revelation usually brings lots of questions. It may also bring lots of conviction that will require a greater level of repentance from you. Revelation means going where you haven’t been before with Jesus. This can cause all sorts of difficult feelings within you, as you are in a place you’ve never been before, and it will require you to listen closer, and stay more attentive to His instructions. Then for that revelation to be really anchored in your soul and heart it must be tested by pain to the deepest place within you.. for you to really ‘know’ it.
Most people / American Christians aren’t receiving any revelation by the Holy Spirit because they haven’t been faithful with the previous revelation they were given. They haven’t worked it out in their lives. They haven’t wrestled with it to the depths within themselves, so it just remains an ‘experience’ or information with no power in their lives. Most of these people always eat the ‘leftovers’ of others, from sermons, podcasts, and all other outside sources, and that’s why they continue to need to go to others for more and more spiritual ‘food’ / sustenance, because they haven’t been obedient with the ‘food’ the Holy Spirit has already given them. Are you always seeking your spiritual ‘food’ from others? Why? Does the Holy Spirit dwell within you or not? Or is it just easier to ‘eat’ the leftovers from others and not have to deal with the Holy Spirit within you?
“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord. Amos 8:11
Now is the time to establish that ‘path’ to Him in being able to ‘hear’ His Words (Rhema) for yourself, before the storms come. Your ‘well worn path’ to your Source of spiritual ‘help’ and sustenance. Establishing your daily ‘time’ of intimacy with Him where He gives you … revelation.