by 
A Spirit Filled Heart
By Carolyn K.
Do you have a Spirit-filled heart? This scripture is Upart of a letter from Paul, describing how we should live in relationship with other people and how we should prepare ourselves for Christ’s second coming. The advice to “be joyful always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances” describes a Spirit filled heart which trusts God in all things and is able to even give thanks for the challenges.
This scripture has always been a challenge for me because it’s hard to be thankful in times of illness, loss, death, or disaster. During those challenges or when I’m impatient, or having an emotional response to issues about which I have deep feelings, I have to work very hard at praying and giving thanks. My prayers may end up being more expressions of anger or frustration than thanksgiving. And yet, I know that as a Christian, I do trust God and have the hope that He is in control of my life. When I am able to pray about things that are stressing me, I can feel God’s peace and His presence beside me as I face those challenges. Sometimes hindsight allows me to know that God’s purpose was for my own good, and other times I don’t know His purpose. But I choose to believe that He is guiding me. The joy in my life comes not from my own circumstances, but from what Christ has done for me and from what I can do to support others.
The purpose of Advent is to prepare our hearts for the coming of the Christ child and to let go of those barriers that prevent us from fully giving our lives to Him. Joy comes as we seek to be open to His voice, especially as we celebrate His birth and begin a new year committed to Him.
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the Spirit which fills our hearts with your love and guides us on our life journeys. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you, praying continually and giving thanks for your presence as we reach out to others and as we encounter the challenges in our own lives. Amen
