Opposition can be paralysing.  We can be like frightened animals, hiding and motionless while danger threatens.  But that was not the example of Jesus or the Apostles.  Jude saw how the church was in danger of being swept away from true faith by the false teachers, but also recognised the danger of spiritual paralysis as faithful believers might be tempted to hide away.  Instead, they needed to keep building up their faith.

Building faith is like building muscles: the more you use them, the stronger they become.  Lift heavier weights and the body will grow stronger.  In the same way, God allows opposition to challenge us so that we may trust Jesus more and grow stronger.  Instead of sinking into self-pity or being frightened of taking any action, we should pray; and when we do not know how to pray, we look to the Holy Spirit to help us (Romans 8:26-27).  God’s love is our only totally secure place: believe it, stay in His love and keep on trusting Him.  Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Praying in the Holy Spirit is not a formula, a particular set of words or praying in a mystical way:  it is praying in agreement with what the Holy Spirit knows is God’s will for us.  It is to pray in line with Bible truth, with the mind of the Spirit.  It is to pray with a cleansed and open conscience before God, trusting Him to do what He has promised, and submitting ourselves to His will.  That is normal Christian praying; exposing ourselves to the light of His truth and desiring that He will do what is right, and give us the desire and strength to cooperate with Him (1 John 3:21-24).

Waiting should be one of the most active parts of our faith, because we trust that God will fulfil His promises and so our hearts can rest (1 John 3:19-20).  When we are secure in God’s love, the waiting time is quiet and peaceful.  It encourages our prayer as we expect the Holy Spirit to reveal what is true, to comfort, strengthen and empower.  It encourages our daily obedience trusting that the Lord will direct us to do whatever is His will.  Waiting in faith grows our confidence that God will win the victory and meanwhile will use the time of testing to strengthen our faith (Isaiah 40:29-31).  The final chapter of the story is in God’s hands: it is His job to bring us safely to His eternal home.  So whatever the dilemma you face, keep on facing it in the security of God’s love, learning to trust even though it hurts, praying in the Spirit, and waiting for God’s answer.