The month of October is given to scary things or the beyond normal. However, not all things that are beyond normal are scary. We are often scared of things we don't understand, and unfortunately, the Holy Spirit is often lumped into that category.

Why are people scared of the Holy Spirit? Perhaps it's because we just don't know enough about Him. As we will learn here, He is our greatest gift and resource.

You're Not Alone

When Jesus was coming to the end of His life, His disciples were sorrowful and couldn't imagine life without Him. But Jesus encourages them in John 14:1-7 when He says, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know."

The disciples didn't think this news was very uplifting. Sure, it's great that we have a place for us in heaven, but what about now? How are we to live day in and day out, left alone? Many people today feel the same way that they have been left alone.

Jesus then tells them the good news. In John 14:15-18, He says, "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you."

Jesus' goal was to usher in the ability of the Holy Spirit to dwell not just with us but IN us. He said that the Holy Spirit would fill that void of loneliness in their hearts. We wouldn't be left orphans but would be made a member of God's family.

Jesus said in verse 16 that God would send another Helper. The word another means one of the same kind. Someone just like Jesus but even better because we now get to take Him everywhere with us!

Why does such an incredible gift seem scary to many people? Well, Jesus said that the world cannot receive Him, but we can. The world doesn't understand this concept, but as Christians, we shouldn't be afraid of the Holy Spirit but understand and use the gift that He is in our lives. He is now WITH us and IN us. He surrounds us on all sides!

Who Is the Holy Spirit?

In order for the Holy Spirit not to be "scary" to us, we need to understand His role in our lives. Let's, look at the trinity: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. The best place to see all three parts of God working together is in the very beginning. Verse 1-3 of Genesis 1 says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said (Jesus), "Let there be light"; and there was light."

The Holy Spirit was the power that caused the light to be! You could say that the Holy Spirit is the muscle to perform the Word of God then and now in your life. That same Spirit of God raised Jesus from the pit of hell! Romans 8:11 says, But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." That is powerful stuff!

Not only do you have power available to you, but Jesus talks about what else the Holy Spirit will do in our lives in John 14:26-27. The amplified Bible reads, "But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"

He said the Holy Spirit is our Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, and Peace. I would say that's a pretty complete list of beautiful qualities. How about you? Please share in the comments, what is your favorite characteristic of the Holy Spirit.

Make sure you tune in to the following blogs/podcasts on the Holy Spirit.