I could always tell when my daughters came home in a troubled mood . Their first question would be “ Where is Mom ?” Her response to their troubles was different than mine . I would enter fix-it mode . I reacted with strategies and solutions . Denalyn , however , reacted with warmth and empathy . She would listen . She would hold her daughter . She would let her talk as long as she wanted to talk . She was sympathetic .
There are occasions when we need a father ’ s strength , and God , our Father , provides it . There are occasions when we need the friendship of a brother , and Jesus , our spiritual sibling , offers it . Yet there are many times in which our spirits are troubled and anxious . We long for the tranquil assurance of a loving mother . For this we turn to the Holy Spirit .
The Holy Spirit soothes the noisy , tumultuous , excitable , and vindictive atmosphere of the human heart .
The Holy Spirit soothes the noisy , tumultuous , excitable , and vindictive atmosphere of the human heart . “ The fruit of the Spirit is . . . kindness . . . gentleness ” ( Gal . 5:22 – 23 NKJV ). Could you use some of the same fruit ? A 2018 study by the American Psychiatric Association revealed that 51 percent of Americans describe themselves as anxious , tipping the scales in favor of worry for the first time . 4
Our stress-laden society has developed many skills for dealing with anxiety . We have breathing exercises and meditation techniques . We have medications and
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