Well, little did I know that the Holy Spirit would bring me back here because of my own thought process.
Back Story
Since we have been back to Raleigh, NC back in 2013, we have been renting our home. We have taken slow steps of getting to build, but it has taken a lot longer than we'd liked. We have gone into purchased land which we maintain, but we do not live on at the moment. We've been looking at plans, we've talked to builders, but just waiting for all the finances to line up for us. Again it's goinn slowly that we would like.Last Night
So, being the High-I (Optimistic, Influencing, Outgoing, Visionary) type personality that my wife is, she boldly says (and I am paraphrasing some):What month is it? Oh yeah, we need to get started building by next month.My response?
Well, we will see what this economy does first.She says, "Oh, forgot about that" and we moved on to other things. Considering that we are in the midst of the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 and pretty much the US economy has shut down, I am thinking about the residual effect of the economy. You see, I am the High-C (Contemplating, Cautious, Detailed Oriented) type personality and I think about the "down-the-road" scenarios. For us, while our personality types differ, they help us to balance each other out. While I might overthink things and have analysis paralysis, she can see above the details and drag me out of being stuck. While she is the visionary and might not think of the details at times, I can add some "meat" around her ideas to help understand the small stuff. We balance each other out.
Dousing the Fire
Now that you understand our relationship dynamic, you might see my response as "thinking about the details". However, if you don't look further, you may miss how my response could have squelched her enthusiasm. This very same idea is what is meant by quenching the spirit. The Holy Spirit is like a fire and He moves and guides us, but we at times put our own reasoning above the movement of the Holy Spirit. By my response, I pretty much ruled out the fact that my wife's bold statement may have been from the Holy Spirit. Despite what the economy looks like or what happens around us, what is planned for us is for us. I may be standing in my own way and putting out that fire of the Holy Spirit to do the good that is meant for my family!The Conclusion
In Matthew Henry's commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5, I think he summed it up best by saying:"...it is this Spirit of grace and supplication that helpeth our infirmities, that assisteth us in our prayers and thanksgivings. Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying the souls of men. We must be careful not to quench this holy fire. As fire is put out by withdrawing fuel, so we quench the Spirit if we do not stir up our spirits, and all that is within us, to comply with the motions of the good Spirit; and as fire is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great quantity of dirt upon it, so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and affections, or minding only earthly things."We all make mistakes, but this is also why it is good to have the humility to admit when you're wrong. I was wrong to assume that my thought process was the right one. I mean, even the best of us have the best intentions, but our plans are many...it is God's plan which must ultimately prevail.
Be Blessed Folks.
Antoine
