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The Great Counselor
John 14:26 'But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.' (NIV)
 For years, I was a youth pastor and the leader of a large national youth ministry. One time, a mother told me that she didn't approve her son's heavy rock music. She thought it was having a destructive influence on his attitudes. Most of the time, she argued with him and their relationship was going nowhere. One day she read something about empathy and decided to try it out in her situation. She asked her son if he would mind if she sat with him and listened to some of his music. He was shocked, but they set on the floor together and listened for a short while. Afterwards, they had a discussion about the music and what it was saying. As she listened to her son, she realized that while she didn't like the music any more than before, they were at least having a real conversation. Empathy breaks down distrust and suspicion because it's a powerful communicator of love and respect. Empathy involves interactive listening, trying to hear another person's point of view, to feel about their situation the way they do. Empathy is an essential part of lasting relationships. Through Jesus, God has empathised with us. He came and lived among us, seeing the world through human eyes. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, and like any good counselor he knows the power of empathy. As we share our problems with him, in prayer, he enters into our pain. He stands beside us and not above us, to help us through the problem. So, whatever it is that you need today, talk it over with the Counselor first.
Prayer: 'Holy Spirit, thank you thank you are my Counselor, and thank you truly empathise with my situation when I pray. Lord, please give me the breakthrough that I need today, and help me in the process to learn to empathise with others.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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Since discovering the Edges documentaries and the way Christian faith relates to hot topics, my faith has grown. Don't stop doing what you do - you do it well!
Riikus, UK
Dear Mal, I saw you some years ago in Lisbon. I was deeply blessed by your prophetic spirit for the nations. I'm especially moved by your messages that speak about being an influence in our world...
Paulo Batista, Portugal
This site is a great source for every leader who is trying to make a difference in their country. I use it daily for my news, daily recharges and great teachings from Mal.Thanks!
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