I’m part of an incredible ministry called Women’s Walk with Christ and one of our core beliefs is that every woman can hear from the Holy Spirit about her needs and her situation.

This is a rare teaching in my experience.

So often we default to people. I need to go to a friend, a mentor, a pastor, a teacher in order to know what to do. Someone else needs to tell me what to do in my circumstances. Someone needs to advise me, care for me.

And so often I have felt so alone, so afraid, so discouraged, because I have not had a person like that in my life. I have struggled with friendships as an adult. While I have many wonderful friends, we are separated by states and jobs and circumstances. We are not readily available for one another as I wish we could be.

But recently, God in his compassion and love has brought me back to the truth and the comfort that He is always with me. He is my support. He is my comforter and friend – at any moment.

Jesus said that after he left, he would send the Holy Spirit who would be a paraclete (John 14:16). This word is often translated as helper, intercessor, counselor, or advocate.

Not one English word can encompass all of what the Holy Spirit is to us.

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He is our comforter when we are hurting.

He is the one speaking truth when we are swimming in lies and shame.

He is our advocate when we are unjustly treated.

He is our nearest friend when we are lonely.

As I have started my new job, I have been tempted to feel down about myself because, frankly, I don’t know what I am doing.

But The Advocate, the one speaking truth in my ear, has assured me that maybe I don’t know exactly what my employers hired me to do, but He brought me to my job to love the people I work with and for.

He spoke truth when I needed it most.

He has also inspired friends to pray for me and to let me know they are praying for me – which has been such a boost when I have felt discouraged.

And I leave this week feeling restful instead of stressed, peaceful instead of worried, joyful instead of sad.

Because I am never ever alone.

My comforter, supporter, counselor, advocate, helper is always with me.

As He is with you.

*****

This post is linked up with Five Minute Friday. A community of writers that spends five minutes writing on a prompt (this week: Support) with no edits, no second guesses. And yes, I know it is Saturday. I’ll spare you the details of my Fridays. Let’s just say I need to make this a bigger priority.