It's Good to Feel Bad August 22, 2014

Before positive change can take place, a person must recognize a need for change.  Change is constantly occurring.  Nothing is in a state of stasis.  We are a day older than yesterday.  Two more hairs have fallen out that will not be replaced.  Ten more calories have decided to hang around the belly.

For a Christian, the Holy Spirit is our change agent.  He convicts us of the disobedience of the skipped prayer times.  He alerts us to the divisive attitude we have with our spouse.  He whispers in our ear that the story we passed along at work was gossip.  And, yes, the voice of the Holy Spirit will make us uncomfortable at times.  Perhaps even miserable.

In the Psalms, David wrote many times about how being convicted of sin went way beyond discomfort. 

³ For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
Psalm 32:3-4 ESV

⁴ For my iniquities have gone over my head;
    like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
Psalm 38:4 ESV

 I woke up this morning convicted of my small, petty behavior toward Kristi last night.  I had caused two very small disagreements to turn into evening-killers.  The Holy Spirit was right there at dawn's early light to remind me of my disappointing behaviors.

At that point, I had two choices.  One, ignore what I was feeling.  Two, come into agreement with God and make things right with Kristi.

After years of ignoring God, I knew that was not going to be a fruitful path, to I chose number two.  In addition I prayed to God that He would give me strength to handle things better in the future.

Had the Holy Spirit not created a sense if disquietude in my spirit, I might not have made the effort to restore the relationship with Kristi.

Just like pain in a pitcher's arm signals an injury, so does the pain in our heart signal an injury to a relationship with those around us.  If a pitcher ignores the pain and finishes the game, he risks the danger of permanent damage.  So to, if we ignore the Spirit's warning voice, we take a chance of permanently damaging a relationship.

Psalms 32:3

Verse Concepts

When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long.

Psalms 38:4

Verse Concepts

For my iniquities are gone over my head; As a heavy burden they weigh too much for me

- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Conviction-Of-Sin#sthash.Qb1zPMyg.dpuf