An Example of How the Holy Spirit Works

I wanted to share something that happened to me that shows how God is in control and works all things for good.

One of my kids, let's call them "Pat", has been arrested twice recently for things done while under the influence.  Pat realized their need to change and started and completed an intensive outpatient program.  The program was a positive influence and helped Pat think about their situation.

The IOP was not the end of the journey.  Pat was told to find a 12-step group and attend weekly meetings, as well as meet with a Counselor and possibly other group meetings.  After being out of the IOP for two weeks, Pat had yet to check any of these boxes.

Two or three weeks ago, I was thinking about the parable Jesus told about a man who had an impure spirit.  Perhaps this was a physical demon or a spirit of addiction or both.  In any case, the spirit left the man, wandered around for awhile looking for a new home, and then came back to the man.  The spirit found it's old "house" "unoccupied, swept clean and put in order".  In other words, the man had gotten his life back together after getting rid of his demon.  Seeing the house unoccupied, the spirit went and got more evil spirits and they all moved in to the old house.  Jesus said that the man was worse off then before.

I wanted to share this story with Pat but did not find a good opportunity.  Every few days, I would think, "I really need to tell them about this", but did not.  Finally, yesterday, I was in the kitchen.  Pat was in the kitchen.  No one else was around.  It was the right time, so I shared the story.

I told Pat that the lesson of the parable is that you can't just beat your old problems.  You can't just get rid of the demon.  You have to replace the bad with something good.  Otherwise, something worse will happen.

That night, there was a group meeting.  Pat attended.  (Box checked, ptl.)  There were four other people like Pat at the meeting.  At one point, the therapist asked the group, "Is it enough to just stop using?  Is it enough to get rid of your bad habit?"

Pat raised their hand and said, "I know the answer to this one."

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. -- Psalm 91:15