3 - In the Spirit

Rising Above Hard Times

Let’s think about John, the fellow who wrote Revelation. Life was rough for him—he was stuck out on Patmos, a dry and lonely island, far from family and friends.

That place was nothing like home. You’d expect him to feel crushed by loneliness, but John shares something surprising: “I was in the Spirit.”

Even though his body was in jail, his spirit was free. God lifted him up above all that trouble.

Being “in the Spirit” gave John comfort and a bigger view—God’s heavenly reality shining through the darkest spot on earth.

Who’s Really in Charge?

Revelation shows us that heaven isn’t just watching what happens; heaven is running the show.

It might look like evil has the upper hand, but behind every scene, God’s power is working for good.

John’s tough situation wasn’t wasted—God was working something beautiful and lasting, not just for John, but for all His people.

Hard Times Have a Purpose

Just like John on Patmos, or Paul in a prison cell, God lets His folks go through tough seasons.

These moments aren’t random or meaningless—they’re opportunities for spiritual growth.

Hard times stretch us, teach us, and make us stronger, so we can help others out of their own struggles, too. If life feels tight or messy, remember, God’s building something sturdy in you.

What Does Being “In the Spirit” Mean?

Now, “in the Spirit” might sound mysterious, but it’s actually simple. It means the Holy Spirit is living inside, changing our thoughts and guiding the way we see things.

Instead of letting our circumstances, moods, or old habits rule the day, we check in with God—letting His Spirit lead us.

It’s about learning to see the world through God’s eyes, and following even when it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to us.

Learning to Walk With God

Part of living in the Spirit is getting used to asking, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Sometimes, what seems logical to us isn't what God’s up to.

The Spirit gives us nudges, sometimes bends our plans. It’s not instant—it’s an everyday choice of surrender and trust.

Paul talked about being “transformed by the renewing of your mind”—letting God change you little by little.

Real-Life Bible Stories

Think about Philip—things were booming in Samaria, folks coming to faith everywhere. Then the Spirit tells Philip to head out to a lonely road in the desert.

That didn’t seem right by human standards, but Philip obeyed. That’s where he met the Ethiopian worker, led him to Jesus, and changed a life forever.

Or Peter—God gave him a vision, shook up his old way of thinking, and told him to welcome Cornelius, a Gentile.

Peter listened, doubts and all, and God opened the door for all sorts of new people to join His family.

These stories remind us: being “in the Spirit” means trusting God, even when the road feels hard or confusing.

Walking in Harmony With God

Revelation wraps things up with “the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’” The bride is God’s people, the church.

When we team up with the Spirit, our lives begin to match His heart. We stop relying on our own strength, drop old habits, and let the Spirit guide us.

Then, what we do really lasts and brings others closer to Jesus.

A Journey, Not a Sprint

Even the apostles struggled to keep up with God’s new ways. It takes time, humility, and a willingness to let go of what we’re comfortable with.

God wants us to become like kids—open, trusting, ready to follow. As we grow, we reflect more of His purpose and love.

Final Words of Encouragement

Wherever you are today—celebrating or struggling—being “in the Spirit” can help you rise above the hard stuff.

It’s a daily decision to tune your heart to God’s voice, trusting Him to lead you. In that place, you’ll find the freedom and strength Jesus always meant for you.

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