I’ve had a goal for the past few years to improve my response time when it comes to spiritual promptings.
It will probably be a goal I have for the rest of my life.
Because it’s a lot of work!
Recently, I had a thought to check in on a friend.
But then I thought:
“Eh, not right now; it’s a weird time. Plus, I think she’s fine. Plus, what would I even say? Plus, I don’t want to seem weird.”
And so I didn’t check in on her.
It wasn’t until the next day that I realized— that was me suppressing a prompting!
And when I suppress a prompting, I’m probably missing out on more promptings in the future and blessings that could be available.
I don’t want to suppress promptings.
So the next time I thought about checking in on a different friend, I texted her immediately.
I wanted to show the Spirit that I was willing to act on any good thoughts that came my way.
I was surprised when, after I sent the text, even more friends’ names came to my mind!
I spent the next little bit catching up with lots of amazing people.
Look at Paul’s simple warning:
“Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
“Quench” means to suppress, extinguish, or hinder.
It’s a pretty straightforward warning.
Even if it’s trickier to always follow in real life.
Becoming Christlike means acting on promptings immediately.
Feeling spiritual confidence and confirmation in all that I do.
And realizing that each prompting I follow opens the door to a domino effect of other promptings and blessings that I can’t even imagine.
Now— I have to take a realistic view.
I’m not going to be really good at this for a long time.
But I think it’s worth the effort, right?
Each day, getting a little better at not quenching the Spirit.
And showing God that I’m ready to act!
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
