One of the symbols of the Holy Spirit is Water and the Bible refers to the Spirit as "living waters" in John 7:38. When we repent and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are washed, regenerated, sanctified by the Holy Spirit and Baptized into the Spirit but I've learned, every now and then, we need to be REFILLED and refreshed by the Holy Spirit to maintain our spiritual equilibrium. Trials and tribulations can take a toll on a Believer so we all need our emotions purged, washed and rinsed on a regular basis like we wash the clothes we wear. Just like we have to take our cars to the shop to get tune-ups and oil changes, every now and then Believers must linger in the Presence of The Lord so they can be REFILLED and REFRESHED!
Back in the day, the Saints used to say a person needed a good old Holy Ghost gully-washing. In other words, they were saying that the person needed a Refreshing. I learned from experience if you don't allow the Spirit to work in you and purge (cleanse, purify, wash) your emotions every now and then, you won't be able to hold on to your Joy, love your enemy or neighbor! People that don't get a "Refreshing" every now and then have more trouble with their attitude and disposition.
God uses Trials to rub us the wrong way to expose dysfunctional behavior patterns so He can heal us and deliver us. However, during these divine processes, we have a lot of emotional moments that spot our garment and taint our Christ-like behavior. For example, people can try your patience, they can take advantage of your kindness, they can be verbally abusive, they can intentionally do things to get on your "last nerve" and the list goes on but everything I just mentioned isn't an excuse or justification to remain angry, offended or upset. To get a passing grade in the realm you're being tested in and to graduate to the next level, your thoughts and responses have to be acceptable to God and the Fruit of the Spirit has to be exemplified in your life even when things get tough. That's why it's expedient that you and I pray and ask The Lord to refresh us and refill us so we can renew our spiritual strength. We can't forgive offenders and get rid of the residue that comes from emotional outbursts and negative thinking without the power of the Holy Ghost working in us.
Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Now, I know what you're thinking, you're saying, 'I'm filled with the Holy Ghost so the power IS working in me.' I used to think the same thing but the Holy Spirit said just because you're "filled with the Spirit" doesn't mean His Power is moving and working in you. When something works, energy is being transferred ... It's moving from one place to another. A Sunday Morning praise can "stir-up" the Holy Ghost in you but for Him "to do a work in you" (transform and change you), you must be willing to let The Lord have His way in you and be LORD in your life on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday! ... Lord fill us up until we overflow!!
Evangelist & Assistant Pastor Gwen Cromer
Fellowship Church of God
Brownsville, TN
