Holy Spirit Mondays: When Helping Hurts

A short reflection to help you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Read:

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness."

Ponder:

This portion of Romans 8:26 translates the Greek word synantilambánetai as "helps." Such a vivid compound word literally means 'to take hold of something alongside someone,' like two people carrying a heavy object together. It doesn't mean 'doing it for you', but 'with you'. In other words, the help in this sentence is directed at weakness, not inability. The person is still engaged and straining, but the Spirit comes alongside in that effort.

This brings something to mind for all of us. While it is true that we are called to love and sacrifice for others, what very often happens is that we do too much, we over function. I myself did this recently. I was trying to help a friend, but I did "one more thing" and it caused an ancillary problem (nothing major, but still an annoyance).

My point? Let us fully listen to the Spirit and do what we are told to do, no more and no less. This is an act of obedience. To do things any other way, is an act of arrogance.

Pray:

"Most Holy Spirit, save me from myself and sanctify me."

Ask:

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