Be Still And Know

Mark 1:12-13 We would all like to think that if our lives were totally led by the Spirit - like Jesus’ was - then we would be able to avoid all challenges and difficulties. Life would be one long succession of blessings and smiling, happy people. But the experience of Jesus shows us that this isn’t the way the Spirit works. Led by the Holy Spirit, Jesus faced temptations, injustice, opposition and violence. But, as he did so, he was given the wisdom and strength to face every challenge. The New Testament is incredibly candid about the challenges which face those who follow Jesus. Jesus himself was very clear that his followers would face problems. He saw it as an inevitable consequence of living in a broken and sinful world. In Jesus’ teaching to his disciples before his death, he gave them lots of encouragement but he was also very straightforward about the problems they would face. He said: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. B