Reflection: Check 3 – Ask for God’s peace about an action
One of the reasons Jesus promised to give us the empowering presence of God’s Holy Spirit, is so that God’s Spirit could guide us in what we do. (You can read accounts of the Holy Spirit doing so in Acts 8:29; 16:7; and 20:22). This reminds us that we can experience the promptings of the Holy Spirit concerning the rights or wrongs of a course of action.
The 16th century theologian and mystic, Teresa of Avila, wrote:
The first sign that a locution (speech) comes from God is the sense of power and authority the locution bears with it, and the sense of confidence and peace that follows it.*
She is talking about the fact that God’s Spirit will give us a sense of “rightness” about a course of action by flooding our souls with a sense of peace. This is not the peace of capitulation. Nor is it the peace that comes from backing away from a challenging task. It is a divine peace that reaches into the depths of who you are.
‘The peace of God… will guard your hearts,’ (Philippians 4:7). But even so, check it out, because it is possible for our hearts to deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9). This is why you also need to check other indicators of divine guidance.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, anxiety gnaws at my soul trying to destroy me. In the face of that threat, I come to you, lay my thoughts before you – and ask for your peace.
*Teresa of Avila, Interior Castle, Sixth Mansion, Chapter 3 “Locutions and The Spiritual Guide.”