We may have found ourselves in a situation that was so deep, and we couldn’t find any solutions to get ourselves out of it. Our confusion and darkness leave us weakened that we can hardly take meaningful steps to reach a resolution.
One of the tactics the enemy which he uses to deepen our unpleasant situations is ignorance or confusion. It is the state of not knowing what to do and how to do it. This condition makes us very weak. It could be a financial situation where we’re bankrupt or unstable, a marital crisis, career, business, or ministry challenge. This weakness is not just of the body, but mostly of the spirit. When a man’s spirit is weak, even his body cannot move.
But there is a way to receive strength in the middle of difficult times. This is given by the Holy Spirit – the spirit of counsel and might. Usually in scriptures, when two words are joined together by a conjunction, they either mean the same thing or cannot be implied without the other. That means that there is strength or might where there is counsel. According to the Message Bible, He is “The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength” (Isaiah 11:2). When you receive direction or counsel from the Spirit of God, your strength is built up. Because you know exactly what to do, and how to do it, you’re no longer weak or timid. You can take the right actions without fear.
How do we receive strength through counsel?
The Word of God is the first place of counsel. The Holy Spirit speaks to us concerning our exact situations through God’s word. Sometimes we feel it is not everything that is written in the bible. For example, the bible doesn’t say marry John or Lisa, or apply for a job at Salesforce, or buy a house in New York. However, when we open our hearts to receive light from God, we’ll be shocked at how a seemingly simple verse of the scripture speaks about our exact situation. (Psalm 36:9).
Again, counsel, which means direction, advice, guidance, or enlightenment can come through dedicated men and women around us. These are counselors. Sometimes they are ordained priests or pastors, some other times they are parents, relatives, or friends.
Proverbs 11:14 “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety”. We don’t know how many lives would have been saved if people had received and acted upon the wise counsel God brought their way.
Isaiah 30:20b-21 “….yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left”. This means that even if we go the wrong way, we have our teachers (counselors) around us who will tell us the way to go. Mistakes happen, but when we hear the voice of counsel behind us, we must be sure to retrace our steps.
As you receive counsel, may you his strengthened and go in this your might to do all that God would have you do in your lifetime in Jesus’ name Amen.